THE DISFIGUREMENT OF PARK TERRACE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12028, 1 November 1904, Page 5

THE DISFIGUREMENT OF PARK TERRACE.

A DEPUTATION AND PETITION. THE CITY COUNCIL'S ACTION. A deputation waited on the City Council last evening on behalf of certain "residents of Park terrace, to protest against the proposed removal of tlie line of telegraph posts to the east aide of the road. The first spokesman, Mr Hewitt, aaid that rather than see the poles shifted to the east side the deputation and other residents would prefer them being placed in the position originally proposed. By far the least objectionable plan, however, would be for the poles to be placed in the Park. Tliere would then he a clear run for them until Fcndalton bridge was reached, and further on it. would be only necessary to cut down a few feiioe«, wliiclt, in itself, would be benefit, as tho trees there were very thick, and formed a harbour for bad characters.. The Chief Inspector had said it was a matter for the City Council to decide, and the deputation therefore asked them to seriously consider the question. They did not want to disfigure the Park, and he, for one, would be please*! to subscribe towards the cost of providing less mutightly poles than the present one*. He was quite sure othors would do the same. The feeling of the Council would have weigliTwith tho Domain Board, and the deputation therefore urged the former body to use their influence for tlie nurpm . of getting the poles erected in the Park. Mr Raker supported tho previous speaker, and emphasised the popularity of the terrace as a promenade. They did not consider tho Park should be disfigured in any way. The poles could be very much smaller, and would not be so unsightly if they were painted green. Tlie posts In dispute were almost, identically the size of tlw central pole in Cathedral square, which carried forty-five cables. Mr Hewitt, also handed fo tho Mayor a petition signed by eighteen resident* of Park terrace asking that the Council should take action to have the poles placed in the Park. Mr A. Kaye stated that he wsus present on behalf of the Beautifying Association, and would not have attended but for tUte action of the deputation. After outlining the history of the whole trouble, Mr Kayo said the opinion was that the least evil would be for the polo* to lie placed on the eastern path down Park fen-ace. He did not think the Domain Board would grant permission for them to be erected in the Park. The Department was quite prepared to substitute ironbark pol«*», winch wore more shapely and enduring than the present oneu. Tlie Post and Telegraph Department wrote, iwking the approval of the Council to the removal of tho poles to the eastern side. ,The Mayor explained tho steps already taken in the matter. There were now throe courses open—to' approach the Domain Board as one. of tho deputations had asked, to shift the polos to the eastern side, or to allow them- to remain where originally intended. The latter would bo the very worst course to adopt. Both parties agreed on that. He moved— "That permission be given to tho Department to erect the poloson the eastern side of .Park terrace." Cr. Otley seconded the motion. Cr. Samuels.moved,, as an amendment, "That the- Domain Board bo approached and asked to allow the poles to be placed in th© Domain." Cr. Cooper seconded the amendment. Ho did not think the Domain Board would refuse the application. The Mayor: "I think they would." Or. Payling wupportcd the amendment, and said that tlie removal of the poles to tho eastern side would be as great a disfigurement afl to allow -them to remain «n the west^side. Cr. Carey was of opinion that the placing of the poles in th« Park was the ica.t of three evils.. He would like to see the wires .taken. ; , underground, and. suggested that.an experiment might be made with the Park terrace wires. . Cr. Manhiro asked if it was customary for tho Department to consult tho Council on tho matter qf the placing of pole«? The Mayor said that-it wa. not. Hie present application was a concession from the Department, with a view of getting out of an excited controversy. Sir Josepn Ward had now thrown tho .responmbibty on the Council, aiid the Council did not know, presuming that tlie Domain Board granted the permission asked, that the Department would agree to take the pole, through tlvo Park. The amendment was agreed to. : . . *; —