CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15931, 19 June 1917, Page 6

CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. DISCUSSED BY TRAMWAY BOARD.

The further consideration of the question of Cathedral square improvements as requested by a recent conference of representatives of the Citv Council, the Beautifying Association and the Tramway Board, formed tho subject of a report submitted to tho Tramway I>onril at its meeting vpstcrdav afternoon by the Works and Traffic Committee. The report ran as follows :— Further consideration of the schomo "A" (submitted by the Beautifying Association) only confirmed the prcri. ous opinion as to its impracticability so far as tho operation of tramears is concerned. An almost complete new lavout of track work would be neccssai'v with the erection of a new shelter on the Godlev Statue site. The cost nt present prices would be £l!2,oOO. It. was proposed that the cost should bo borne entirely bv the Tramway Board. The tramway officers submitted a now lay-out such as would be required if it wore decided that the present shelter should bo removed. This scheme had not been fully considered by the Tramway Board, but was submitted to tho conference montionod to illustrate how it would be possible to meet the objectionable fcnturcs of sclicmo "A" in respect of car operation, and yet provide for a new shelter arrangements* desired by tho Beautifying Association, but this was not approved by tho conference. Tho cost would bare been about the same ns "A"—£12,500. In both cases £5000 would be necessary for new special work at the north and south entrances to tho Square. The present spocinl work has now reached tile end of its life, so that now work is required in any case. Tho estimates also provido for new track work throughout the Square in place of linos which arc now twelve rears old. The £5000 must bo spent shortly for new special work in any event. If this had not been the easo the committoo would probably have decided to postpone tlio wholo matter

If the present; special work was renewed without, alteration in dosi<rn no alteration could bo made in the trunks in front of tho Cathedral without scrapping this oxpensivo materinl. If any improvement is to bo made it should therefore be made now. The committee proposes that no alteration lie made in present shelter, Tint that the track in front for smith-bound cars should bo moved further east, close to the kerb in front of tho Cathedral. The present plan provides for a clearance between kerb and car of S feet 4 inches, but it would Ix> better if tho spice wero less, snv 4ft, and that tho side-channel be covered. fioulh-b"tind passengers would then l:oard from the footpath, instead of being reouired to stand about in tho onfMi roadwny as at present, at risk of aoident to themselves. n«d at considerable inconvenience to drivers of horse or motor vehicles, Simi'prlv •nPKsengers from Papanui and St. A'h'ins would, alight on to tho footpath instead of on to tho one" roadwnv in tho oentr© of the stream of vehicular traffic. If the passengers wish to use tho present shelter, t' ,n V would have to walk right acreps the roadway instead of half-wav across, an at prosent, but they already havo the use of verandahs in Colnml>o street, north and south of tho Sou a™, if tW so desire. Further, if the eb-, tains authority to cr©ot a suitor on tho south-west corner of tho Cntlicdrol grounds for the pso of Lincoln road and Worcester street passengers, it would bo available .for south-bound Colombo street passengers also. Another advantage would he that southbound cars -would he kent to the nearsido of the road through the Squaro, instead of swinging to the west across tho line of vehicular traffic at Broadway's, and then baek to the oast atthe Bank of New Zealand. Tho clearance for vehicular traffic between cars in front of the Cathedral would be 5-1 feet. * Tho committee has other r>ropesnls < before it irrespective of track altractions by which it is hoped to further imnrove matters so far as interference with vehicular traffic in the Square is concerned. The committee also P rf *" poses that a curve bo laid at the south end of the sholter similar to that at tho north, which would enable Riccarion cars with trailers to circlc the shelter and bo rondy for tho return , journey without the present objectionable shunting procedure. These proposals, including the new special work, are estimated to cost £c6QO, about £7000 lees than those called for undor the Beautifying Association's proMr A. S. Taylor said that he could rot see that any sufficiently good causo lad been made out for departing from the prosent lay-out in the Square. » thero were to be something new, l o ' there be something on a higher scale. In a fow years' time, tho traffic alon° in the Square, besides the beautifying schemes, -would necessitate WW" 0 change, and the question would novo to be gone into again.. Ho hardly thought that the pew idea would do away with tho public's use of the present shelter in tho Squaro. The I*? in vf at Broadway's corner and the BanK corner, Mr Taylor proceeded, wero worn out. and a change, an immediate change, was necessary, oven though it was most unfortunate at the present time. At present, he contended, there was no case made out for any fresn lay-out of tho Square, except for tuo necessary alterations montioned. _ Mr T. H. l>avoy said that the point* at the Bank and Broadway's corner had always been bad, and why woukl it not be better to try the new scheme. It was most necessary to look O'tf tho 6afety of the travolline public in he middle" of the Square, and to protect the ordinary crowds from the vehicular traffic. It seemed bad that P tl iaTl 2 shotild have to stand in tho midaic or the Square, -waiting for trams, and havo to dodge the vehicular traffic. Thero was a bad system in the Square to-day, and if they could improve on running conditions and on the old scheme, thon they should do it. Mr J. A. Flcsher supported the adoption of the report., There was, lie contended, a great risk of accident under tho prosent scheme, and also a great amount of unnecessary wear »nd tear on the points. Ho considered tho new idea a great improvement en tho present lny-out. As a matter of fart, he would like to be able to see tho people able to step from the rurb on to the trams, if such could be managed. It was the safety of the public that brouaht home to him the necessity for some su'h chnngp. It was well-known that Mr Tay'or was an rdvo?nto for the beautifying of tho Square. ITa was not favourable to spending £7G?.0 or £8000 for 'hat purpose, but if they had to spend :C-jOi>o a* at present, then let ihein maKO their improvements as complete as possible. The Hon. J. Birr spoke of the expense that would he involved in future improvements to the Fqnare. ami after sottio little further discussion, the report was adopted.