THE GODLEY STATUE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13083, 6 April 1908, Page 8

THE GODLEY STATUE.

TO THE EDITOR OF 'THE TEKSS." Sir,—After reading Dr. Chilton's letter and your remarks on same. I would liko to say a few words. I think you have not !>eou severe enough on the Council for their actions in this matter. Tlie Go.!ley Statue is an old landmark, and no tinkering with it should have been allowed. In first allowing tho view and tho footpath to be obstructed by tho tramway shed; next a sanitary convenience alongside, rather a strange place to my mind, and now they propose to shiit the above statue, and possibly damage it in so doing. What are we going to have in its place? Now, why move it at all, and waste more money? Is there not room enough for a wide footway at tbe rear of the present shelter 1* It would be a convenience tor people walking, as they wot*.Ll not have to elbow their way as at present, or risk being run over by going oti tho roadway. If that is not H-asiblo, why not fate the statue toward the we'-tr as ou the rem oral of the pres-en-t ol_-,truci ion there would be a clear view from three .sid<*=. 1 notice also that. •"Utility" want., those dusty trees removed (his name is Destruction;. Tiny serve a very useful pur'Kvo by stopping the said diiftt, and otherwise by giving us something pleasing to look at, as a change i'roni the surroundLng buildings. In conclusion, let mc say to our ratepayers that they want a shake up in the- way in which they neglect thi-ir duty by not using their votes on every occasion when called on.—Youis, etc., NATIVE. TO THE EDITOR OK "THK TRESS." Sir, —I do not often indulge in the luxury of going into prim, even under a norn do plume, but several times of late I have neari*-- done so, and now on top of '"Peter Troioves" disappointment that more citizens are not backing up tho utilitarian side of the matter, I wish to say that my sj-m----pathics aro entirely with the retention of the .shelter shed where it is. It is absolutely ridiculous that the building, which is at least very presentable, should havo been allowed by those two hundred valiant ratepayer.*; of the first ''Old Colonist" in Saturday's "Press to bo erected at all if they did not de.iro it. Of course, providing they, by tho immensity of their solid will, succeed in inducing or intimidating our much-blamed Mayor and hardworking, unthanked councillors into removing this much-needed convenience (leaving tho other ono out of tho question), will supply tlio necessary money to do so,'because you can hardly expect our friends Trolove. "Progress," "Utilitarian," and myself to have to assist in supplying funds to take away what we urgently need, through tho winter months especially. You can take my tip, sir, a plebiscite ou, the matter, and I think the citizens as a bulk have just as much Say in tho matter as the ratepayers (200), and moro so, too, would givo about a four-fifths majority in favour of the retention of tho shelter shed. Ugly, be hanged, and I'll bet none of that 200 will remain outside that shed on a wet day, even though they appear as they would give their unity to removo it. Earthquakes, and we havo to tako these things as they como, why, man, a real good one might quite as easily destroy tho shed as the beloved statue, even if the latter did lie in tho Cathedral grounds; and supposing tho Cathedral tower, spire, and the rest of it came down in a general upheaval, I should like to see the man who would really care a tinker's <: utio" whether the statuo escaped or was turned into fowl grit. Please do not think I wish any disrespect to the statue or tho memories connected with it, but this is not the first time a valuable piece of ground has had to havo its condition changed from idleness to use.—Yours, etc.. COLONIST OF 1870.