Suggestions for Future of Crystal Palace

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 4

Suggestions for Future of Crystal Palace

DISPOSAL OF THE DEBRIS LONDON, Jan. 23. Suggestions about the future of tho Crystal Palace site are still flowing iu to the Board of Trustees in their hundreds, following the disastrous fire of November 30. The general manager of the ill-fated palace said this week: “The crux of the whole problem is finance, and it is important that we should get the best prices for the 15,000 to 20,000 tons of valuable debris. "The trust has only about £50,000 in war loan besides the £120,000 from the incurance, and this, of course, is quite inadequate for any rebuilding schema Much of the debris is puddled cast-iron which fetches tremendous prices to-day, and no w'onder, considering that after 85 years’ service it has not deteriorated. You can mb the rust off with your fingersj it has not penetrated the iron at all. There is no such stuff made now.’’ Among the suggestions which have been made for the future of the sate is that of Lord Sempill, who suggested a permanent aircraft exhibition, with a building to be dominated by a great illuminated globe symbolising the Empire on which the sun never sets. Other suggestions include:

A natioual park, with a riding track • like liotton Row; the rebuilding of the palace as it was, “better protected, but

not less beautiful;’’ a South London Cathedral; an Olympic Games stadium; a super-aerodrome; a model of the palace on a small scale 10ft long; a great series of schools with a hospital, fused into a college of the University of London; a zoo; an Empire Palace of Agriculture; and a social and health centre.