My kauri bookshelves |
The Karaka Bay bookshelves began their life in the Auckland Public Library reading room when it was opened on 26 March 1887. This photograph was taken for the Auckland Star in 1905.
In the apse of the space all the shelves were beautifully curved. It was impossible to save them in three days. The Auckland City Council smashed them to pieces with an axe, destroying some of the best kauri craftsmanship to be seen in the city. The building then sat empty and derelict for another two years.
Waldo Granwal and I organised a campaign to save the sweeping marble staircase which led from the grand corner entrance to the upper levels of the library. To thwart us the Auckland City Council in one night smashed the priceless marble to rubble with sledgehammers. Nothing was saved. |
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