Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/43

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AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK


broad and well made, but some of the older streets in the heart of the City are narrow. This was an error in the original plan which is only being overcome at great expense. For many years Auckland roads were not good. Concrete paving is now being used, however, and a vigorous roading policy having been adopted, the City is making rapid progress in roading improvements, and will soon have the reputation of being the best roaded city in Australasia.


BUILDINGS.

Auckland's buildings are a quaint mixture of past and present. In the main streets large buildings of modern design stand side by side with one, two, or three storey structures which have passed their prime in terms of years. This contrast is not to be deplored from an artistic point of view, for what it lacks in symmetry is more than compensated by the effect of a broken sky-line. The sky-scraper happily does not exist—an eight-storey building being the tallest in the City. Amongst notable buildings may be mentioned the Post Office, Ferry Buildings, the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, some of the banks, including the Auckland Savings Bank and the Bank of New Zealand, which is the gem of Auckland's commercial buildings, the Public Library and Art Gallery, the Town Hall, the Supreme Court, the Magistrate's Court and the city churches, noticeably St. Paul's, St. Matthew's, St. Andrew's and the Tabernacle.


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