IMPROVING DEVON STREET.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1922, Page 5

IMPROVING DEVON STREET.

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND PLANS. “Observer” writes to the editor:—l note with approval your remarks in the leader of the 30th inst. having reference to the recent improvements in the street architecture of New Plymouth, and the much to be regretted intention of the Bank, of New Zealand to renovate the deplorable, dilapidated and ancient wooden structure now serving an their business premises. We feel more than surprised to learn thfc of such a responsible and leading institution, more particularly after the example given by the New Zealand Insurance Co. and the Public Trust, both of whom have >erected handsome office premises. We further hear that the State Fire Office is now letting tenders for a modern building of no mean pretensions. Tn all cities in the world the Municipal 'Councils had the legal right by by-law to refuse any alteration or erection of new premises which shall in any way deter from the appearance and improvement of the streets and suburbs.

“Progress” writes on the same, subject: —Sir, —As one who 'i-s keenly interested in the development of New Plymouth, T much appreciated your sub-leader in Fridays paper. From the makeshift appearance of some of our latest building “improvements” one would suppose that the prosperity of New Plymouth is to be very short-lived. Still, there

I is hope that 'it is not so when one sees I such prosperous institutions as the New { Zealand Insurance Co., the 'State Fire • Office, the Public Trust Office, the Commercial Bank of Anstlalia, and so on, erecting substantial buildings that will last for some time. In the face of this it seems strange to see such a solid concern as the Bank of New Zealand patching up a dilapidated old building in the -hope of making it last a few more years. Surely New Plymouth will I last longer than that. From the appearance of the port one would imagine that I a new hank built now would be occui pied by extremely busy people for twenty years or more. New Plymouth is growing, and her citizens hope that it is a growth that will not soon -stop, and we certainly do not want to erect buildings that will have to be pulled down in a few more years, or to patch up old -ones that ■will soon, be too small.