Transforming Grafton Gully

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1030, 22 July 1930, Page 10

Transforming Grafton Gully

OPEN-AIR THEATRE SUGGESTED

IT lias been suggested that the upper end of Grafton Gully at present being used as a rubbish dump by a. city firm should be transformed into a “bowl” similar to that at Ilydly wood.

The Hollywood Bowl is a famous amphitheatre, set in a natural hollow among the hills. It has seating accommodation for some thousands of people and against the hillside there is a specially constructed stage. The idea originally belonged to the ancient Greeks, whose open-air theatres were the setting for the presentation of dramas of the day. Orators addressed the populace, and all the finest talent of the day was given expression in these open-air theatres. Hollywood has adapted the Greek ideal to modern use. The stage of the "bowl” is constructed so that the whole thing acts as a sounding-board and consequently the acoustics are perfect. People seated some hundreds of yards away can hear the performers perfectly. Orchestras, concert parties, brass bands, choirs and individual artists all give xierformances in the Hollywood Bowl. Famous addresses have been delivered there because the seating accommodation can absorb huge audiences.

The suggestion that the upper end of the Grafton Gully should bo made into a city amphitheatre is supported by many of Auckland’s leading citizens. Its proximity to the main arteries of the City and its setting among the bush make the site almost a perfect one. The stage could be set down in the bed of the gully with the seating accommodation on the slopes around the upper end, which is now used as a rubbish dump. The essentials are there, to be used, should the City' Council require them. Mr. C. It. Ford, architect, although generally approving of the scheme, says that the weather must be considered. California is fortunate in

this respect. There the people are able to put their umbrellas away for five months in the year, and be sure of warm, rainless nights. “I cannot see why a ‘bowl’ cannot be built in Auckland, but will it pay?” said Mr. Ford. “The financial side of every undertaking must be considered nowadays. It certainly would bo a great thing to accomplish in Auckland, but would open-air entertainments, such as those given in the Hollywood ‘bowl’ appeal to the Auckland public?” The background of distant sea and natural bush would be infinitely superior to the hills surrounding the Hollywood “bowl,” according to Mr. W. H. Gunnner, of Gummer and Ford. Natural surroundings must help in the appreciation of anything artistic, he thinks. “It seems to me to be one of those things which is so obvious that one can say no more,” continued Mr. Gummer. "It appeals to the imagination. One would like to wave a wand and see the whole thing become a reality.”

Professor C. R. Knight, Professor or Architecture at the University, commends the idea, with qualifications. Before making a definite statement he would prefer to know how much the land would cost, the possible revenue from such a scheme and the cost of construction.

Such a scheme as a Grafton Gully "bowl”, provided it could be accomplished at a reasonable cost, would need to be planned very carefully and there must be no interference with the hush now growing in the gully. Nor must any excavations be made ■which would leave disfiguring scars on the slopes of the gully. “After all,” he says, “there should be a definite effort made to encourage an appreciation of music in Auckland. It would be regrettable if all the music of the future is to come from Hollywood.”

Mr. Colin Muston, conductor of the Bohemian Orchestra and the Choral Society, considers that during the summer months the scheme would be admirable, as the locality is so close to the heart of the city. The scheme would have to be a financial success aud for this reason alone he thinks it may be rather early. "If a ‘bowl’ were built at the head of Grafton Gully, it would mean that the Town Hall would have to be closed during January and February,” continued Mr. Muston.

“I would like to see it come into being, as I think it would encourage brass bands to play more often to the public. At present these bands in Auckland are getting barely sufficient to pay the rent of their rooms. A ‘bowl’ as suggested would encourage the bands to play more often to the public. It would also he of great use to school children during the holidays in the summer months.

“However, I think we are looking 20 years ahead. Personally, I do not think that such a scheme would pay its way under 30 years.” “NOT TO BE TOLERATED”

Councillor J. B. Paterson, chairman of the Parks Committee of the City Council, says that the removal of, or the interference with, any bush in Grafton Gully would not be tolerated. “We want it preserved for all time as a bush sanctuary,” he stated. Mr. Paterson explained that the City Council desires to obtain all the

privately-owned property in Grafton Gully, and ways and means of purchasing it are now being considered. It is hoped this year to square up the south side of the gully down to Grafton Bridge. Councillor H. P. Burton, formerly president of the Grafton Ratepayers’ Association, approves of the scheme, providing it does not involve the City Council in too much expenditure. He is of the opinion that any scheme for the final development and improvement of the upper end of Grafton Gullv should be accomplished within the next five years. It is quite possible, he thinks, that some such scheme as an amphitheatre could be embodied in the lay-out of the end of the gully, but he asks if the time is ripe for such a venture. Mr. Burton commends a scheme for constructing a low-level road around the upper part of Grafton Gully. This would join Glenside Crescent below Sj’monds Street, pass under the bridge and come out into Sj’monds Street again opposite the old windmill. in the opposite direction from Glenside Crescent, this road would go round the head of the gully, where the rubbish tip is. and come out into Carlton Gore Road “The City Council should now definitely make up its mind what it intends to do with the gully before there is any further commercialisation of the area,” he concluded. Mr. Roy Lippincott, architect, commends the scheme, although he has not actually inspected the site