CANTERBURY CLAIMS HISTORIC BUILDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 14

CANTERBURY CLAIMS HISTORIC BUILDING.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAMBER ASKED FOR AT PUBLIC MEETING

At a public meeting held yesterday, it was decided that the Government should be requested to hand over to the people of Canterbury the old Provincial Council Chamber and the site in which it stands. The meeting, over which Mr A. Dudley Dobson presided, was attended only by a small number of people. The matter was discussed for some time in committee, after which there was a brief discussion in open meeting. Mr 11. M. Chrystall, referring to objections that had been raised to the discussion being taken in committee, said they did not want to disclose to the Government departments what they were doing, or any offer made in connection with the negotiations for the buildings. They should confine their discussion to the reasons why they wanted the buildings back. Most of the opposition was going to come from the Government departments which occupied the buildings, and some ether departments. There were practically no reasons why there should be any Government departments in those buildings to-day. Quite apart from anything else, it was clear to anyone with office experience that it was not fair to ask people to work in that building. The building that had been added would have to be removed. He did not agree with Mr Owen that the Government should not be criticised. They were there to criticise the Government. If they did not criticise the Government they would never get anywhere. He considen’ed that if a representative deputation were sent to Wellington they would be successful. They had no legal right to the building, but they had a strong moral right. He had been in communication with the Mayor on this subject, and the Mayor was very sympathetic. It was only a matter of being absolutely united to carry the thing through. He did not think they should disclose any basis of negotiations. If the province and city were united the Government would give the building. Mr W. G. Jamieson said the building was a wonderful old place. All ought: to be proud of it. It would stand for many ages. There was nothing more impressive in New Zealand or Australia than that building. The trouble at the present, time was that the spirit of commercialism was in control. But he thought if they took the bull by the horns and put the case to the

Government they would get the building. Dr John Guthrie said he thought it was a reproach to Canterbury that they had not regained possession of the old building. Mr E. J. Howard. M.P., explained that the reason he had favoured going into committee was so that the matter could be discussed and the difficulties considered. The motion was carried, and it was decided that the Mayor be approached by the Beautifying Association and asked to call a public meeting to discuss wavs and means of mak‘ng the proposal to the Government.