Joseph Johnson/Fairfax NZ

IRREPLACEABLE: 'To lose this unique voice would be a great loss'.

OPINION: British archaeologist, heritage adviser and writer RICHARD TERRY visited Christchurch recently and says Christ Church Cathedral has an irreplaceable authority and total demolition would be a great loss for the city.

Why squander public money on heritage conservation when there are so many other calls on our resources?

It's a reasonable question - to which one response would be that it's because historic places speak directly to us, conveying powerful, complex and highly poignant narratives.

As an English visitor to some of New Zealand's historic sites and buildings during the new year, I was enormously impressed by the breadth and richness of the stories they reveal.

From the elegant mission houses and impressive Maori fortifications of Northland, to the rugged simplicity of the shacks of Chinese goldminers in Central Otago - everywhere voices from the past, yearning to be heard.

These places encapsulate New Zealand's rich and densely textured history, relating it in a way that everyone can appreciate, no matter their culture of origin. Places can be just as effective at spinning a compelling yarn as Kiwi storytellers of international repute like Jane Campion and Eleanor Catton.

This telling of tales is central to our sense of kinship as human beings. It's why millions of people visit historic places all over the world - a feeling of discovering insights into the shared human condition.

That's why I would suggest, as others have done, that what happens to Christ Church Cathedral affects us all in some way. In the light of the ongoing debate - whether to rebuild, partially retain or completely demolish - it's interesting to bear in mind the cathedral's origins, and that of the city of Christchurch itself.

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Spare Cathedral from total demolition

Depending on the type of demolition, sometimes local companies are used and sometimes regional businesses do the work of tearing down a condemned house.

The city of Jamestown is planning to demolish around 25 houses this year. If the demolition site is clean, some local companies can do the job, said Vince DeJoy, city development director. However, if the site is not clean and contaminants like asbestos are found, city officials then have to look regionally to find a company certified to do the destruction.

''Currently, no local companies can do a controlled demolition,'' DeJoy said. ''We are working with a local company. They are working their way to do the controlled demolitions when there is asbestos. They hope to be certified by the end of the year.''

A house being demolished by Kingsview Demolition next to the North Main Street Church of God in Jamestown last spring. P-J file photo by Dennis Phillips

DeJoy said whenever the city has a house ready to be demolished the work goes out to bid. Whoever has the best bid gets the contract. He said the demolishing cost depends on how much work has to be done in tearing down the condemned structure.

''It is a pretty big range. It depends on how big the house is. Is it contaminated? It is not just the costs for the demolition materials to go to the landfill,'' he said. ''It can range from $10,000 to $50,000 for an average two-story house.''

DeJoy said city officials work to have the cost of the demolishing paid for by the last known property owner. However, he said the money usually is not recouped.

''We make every attempt. We have an attorney who specializes in recoveries for these types of expenses,'' he said. ''We make our best effort, and sometimes we get lucky and are able to recover the costs. I'm instituting a more aggressive approach because it is a great burden for the property taxpayer. I don't think it is fair for someone to walk away from the property and stick the bill on the taxpayers of Jamestown.''

DeJoy said the condition of the condemned house will determine which ones go first.

''The ones that get knocked down first are the ones that are in eminent danger of collapsing. It is a danger to surrounding structures, and is deteriorated in such condition it needs to come down because it is dangerous,'' he said. ''Those that are structurally unsound are the next highest priority. Those vacant and abandoned structures with windows knocked out in a nice stable area is a high priority.''

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Several Companies Used To Demolish City Houses

HOT SPRINGS, AR -- A fire destroyed part of the Majestic Hotel, a landmark in Hot Springs, on Thursday.

While the more modern part of the building still stands, the portion built in the late 1800's, has been reduced to rubble after demolition took place.

Hot Springs Chief Ed Davis says for public safety reasons, demolition needed to begin right away.

He says it's something that likely should've happened years ago, but history is an important part of this city.

Chief Davis said, "There's a lot of sentiment towards preserving the nature of these buildings."

Throughout the day hundreds of people stopped by the area to reminisce and take pictures.

Diana Hampo takes a trip down memory lane with her son.

While watching the demolition, she tells him about the golden days of the Majestic Hotel.

She said, "We were looking at the Grady Grill sign. That was the restaurant there and 20 years ago my husband and I had our first date there."

Just one of many memories reflected upon as a part of history disappears into the dust and debris.

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Portion of Majestic Hotel Is Demolished

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Neighbors trying to save Thacher school from demolition
Part of the reason the school district wants to tear down Thacher is because the district is reopening Northeast Middle School.

By: KMBC 9 News Kansas City

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Neighbors trying to save Thacher school from demolition - Video

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Celtic TV - London Road Primary School demolition update
THE weekend saw another step towards a new-look entrance to Celtic Park as the London Road Primary School was demolished. For many, the "old school" has beco...

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