PREPARATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10997, 21 June 1901, Page 5

PREPARATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

MEETING OF THE PLATFORM

COMMITTEE,

THE SAFETY OF THE STANDS

A meeting of the Platforms Committee was held yesterday. Present—Messrs W., H. Cooper "(in the chair), B. P. Manhire, W. Jacques, A. W. Beaveoi, R. M. Macdonald, F. <_.'.• Raphael, and his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. E. a. Rhodes). r

The chairman said that he had made ar-' rangements for the insurance of thc stands • —that in Victoria square for £600 and that in tha Park for £300. Regarding the furnishing of tho stands he said it was a very important matter. The barriers, it had been suggested, should be brightened by a little colour. Am estimate had been given for the work at £30- The decorations would be of the same nature as those in the streets. Another suggestion was that there shoud be a covering on the seats to protect the dresses of the ladies from the dirt on the seats. This work was estimated to cost £16, and the covering would bo removed to the stand in the Park-

It was decided not to cover the seats; and that the question of decorating be left in the hands of the sub-committee.

Mr A. Dudley Dobson, City Surveyor, attended, and stated that he had visited the stands with the secretary of the Christchuroh Architects' Association, and with him had carefully inspected them. They were perfectly satH_fied-with their stability, and were of opinion that the stands would carry a greater weight than' it was possible to be put on it; and that there would be no danger. The chairman said that he had been told by a well-known builder that he would guarantee the stands to carry five or six times more people than there was room for. Mr Pearce. chairman of the Builders' Association, had, with other members of the Association, inspected the platforms, and they considered that the stands would carry seven or eight times the people that it was possible to put on them. The secretary (Mr --*• J- -Right-on) read a memo, from the Architects* Association, to the effect that Messrs Clarkson. Bailantyne, R. W. England, jun., S. Hui*t Seager, F. J. Barlow, and j. Wbitelaw, were perfectly satisfied that the stands would be absolutely safe when finished, and passed by the Surveyor, arid they had nothing further to suggest beyond what -Mr Dobson intended doing.

With regard to the foundation stone, the MCTetary was instructed to write to Mr H. F. Wigram. asking him to issue instructions that the stone be placed on the ground tbis _aonnngIt was decided to make arrangements for the kinematograph operator. The Question of the disposal of the tickets for-the Victoria square stand which -till remain unsold was left to a snb-committee, consisting of Messrs Be van. Raphael, and Man-tire. It was also decided to advertise the routes by which tbe Victoria stand can be reached

It was decided that meetings of the committee be held at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, at Victoria square, and 9 o'clock on Monday morning. The Processional Committee waited - on the committee with .respect to a proposal to place the bands who are to' provide amuse-

jnsnt forthe.jrablicon Saturday eind J&nedav night of the -stand 'at' Victoria square, as the band rotunda is of no use, owing to the old a«;e pensioners* stand hiding it. :. -■ ■ . .*• "- . 3lr B. C. Bishop seated that it would *c necessary to gut up half- α-dosen posts in. order to light np ihe plaos the bands -wt«! to play afc. '"'■*■"■

The committee to leave the matter in the hands of 'Messrs Bishop and Macdonald. It, was understood that the posts would be utilised for the tent to ba erected over the soot.

The secretary stated, in reply to Mr Raphael, that no answer had been received from ths bandmaster of the Ophir's band to tbe enquiry as to the band giving a public performance.

TO TH-. EDITOR 0* TUB PBKSS. * Sir, —I .have read a lot of twaddle in the papsrs*ab_flit.the stability of the stands in tne Park. One correspondent seems to think that the Government stand is safe, and that the others may collapse. Why not brace tha three stands together, high up at the back? This will satisfy the timid ones, and do no harm to anyone.—Yours, etc., SAFE.