EXHIBITION ENTRANCE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17608, 10 November 1922, Page 7

EXHIBITION ENTRANCE.

CASHEL STREET BRIDGE WORKS.

DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR.

J The prospect of having an array of building material and equipment, with heaps of excavated spoil in the locality of the Cashel St. bridge, when the Bridge of Remembrance operations start, is viewed with alarm by the executive committee of the Industrial : Exhibition which opens shortly and which will have its main decorated entrance just where the new works are_ contemplated. With the idea of see*~ ing 6ome escape from the danger feared, a strong deputation from the committee, headed by Mr W. J. Jenkin, the president, waited on the Mayor yesterday, Mr J. Wyn Irwin was also present, as representing the Bridge of Remembrance Committee. Mr Jenkin said that the business people of Cashel Street had subscribed vuki money required lor the temporary footbridge to be built northward ol the j C/iu>U«i kJU Ll'iuge, aliU Wiuil> 100H>i"«4i»J MifUiU ot> l>UUb. lue Vital qucSuOii iiViv was tuat couuecteu witii wo um-in entrance to uie -LAxuDitiou anu the eneci< piouucea by tile operations 01 trie contractor lor me linage 01 j.te.uieino.iaiict>, who was to start woi'k ngut away, ine euiiaiice to tue LxuiOiiion woiud be a big feature of that enterprise-for in addition to the decorations and nominations, it wouid contain displays of Maori carvings,. and other specimens oi native work. The proposed building operations in the immediate vicinity, would seriously affect the value of the entrance and give a very bad impression to the many eminent people from all parts of New Zealand, who would be attending. The contractor estimated that some €OO yards of spoil would be excavated for the foundations and it was feared that that heap with other material and equipment, which of necessity, would have to be dumped in the locality, would prove most unsightly, and on account of the dust nuisance most offensive. The Exhibition Committee did not want in any way to interfere with the Bridge of Remembrance sentiment, but trusted that something might be agreed on which would delay the Bridge operations until the Exhibition had closed, without affecting the contract in any way. Mr T. Woodroffe, Supervisor of the Exhibition, said the matter was one most vital to the success of the Exhibition. It was felt that if" the spoil audi other material were to be permitted, theslightest east wind would carry clouds of dust through the entrance and into the buildings. A builder's dump, situated right at the entrance, would be most objectionable to visitors. He suggested that the old Cashel St. bridge might be redecked for the duration of the Exhibition, and it would then be decorated with arches and illuminated by the Exhibition Committee. Mr H. Holland said that from a civic point of view, it was most desirable that the construction of the .bridge should be delayed for a few weeks. The Bridge of Remembrance had been delayed: for so \ long now that it would make "ao difference if a little further delay occurred. Distinguished visitors from all parts of New Zealand would be present at the Exhibition. n.nd the iinsightliness of the dump, -with the "smell therefrom, would be very offensive, to those visitors. A agreement providing; for a delay, could be drawn up between the contractor and the Council which would not affect the contract in any way. He strongly urged.tibat the building; of the bridge should be delayed. Mr J. Wyn Irwin, for the War Memorial Committee, said the committee were very sympathetic to the Exhibition, and quite recognised its national importance. The committee also recognised thai the Bridge works would seriously affect the beauty «f the Exhibition entrance. The War Memorial Committee, however, still had over £2OOO to collect in order to meet the cost of the structure, and his big difficulty in •colliectrng 'was that people would not subscribe until the work was started'. If the Exhibition Committee would assist the War Memorial Committee and the amount required could be raised, then the suggested delay in starting operations would not matter. The first lot of the stone was already landed, and it would be possible to make arrangements with the contractor to work up the stone in the meantime, while the Exhibition was on, and then go ahead with the construction after the Exhibition closed The committee, however, -wanted to get to work as early as possible, for it was intended to lay the special stone for the arch on Anzac Day; and a great deal of wori would have to precede that. Mr Jenkin said the Exhibition Committee would be prepared to help the War Memorial Committee in any way possible. The Exhibition, however, would cost from £6OOO to £7OOO, and the executive were already committed to over- £6OOO. Should tie. Exhibition prove a financial success, then the Ex. hibition Committee would do what they thought was a fair thing. The Mayor: Say you will give £SOO. Mr Jenkin: I can make no promi*, for everything depends on the success of the Exhibition. Mr J. A. Frostick said that nobody desired to make a profit out of the Exhibition, but the majority.of the guarantors were also contributors to the Bridge of Remembrance, and if a promise were given now and the Exhibition did not succeed financially, then that amount would have to be paid by the guarantors. "I am sick and tired of the apathy of the people towards the War Mem.orial," said the Mayor in reoly. «'Thpy were dismembered at first and now people won't even pay up their promised subscriptions until the memorial is started. That is why we want to let-the people see we are making a start." The Mayor added that the matter was one for the Council, and if the War Memorial Committee were willing to abide by the Council's decision he would have the question settled at the Council meeting on Monday night. If the old Cashil St. bridge was to he redecked, then the construction of the *oocbridge would have to be held up for both bridges would not be required. Personally, he was opposed to any delay in the construction of the Bridge of Remembrance. He would ascertain, however, what was likely to be the extent of the objections caused by the work, and would put the whole master before the Council and he would agree to whatever the Council decided. Mr Wyn Irwin: We would object to the redecking of the Cashel St. bridge, i for that would only cause a further d©|.lay later. I The Mayor: If there is any method I whereby the contractor can go on without spoiling the Exhibition entrance that will be adopted. Mr Jenkin: Leave the old bridge as it is, but take the hoardings down and go oh with the temporary bridge. . Before the deputation left the Mayor complimented them on wW+ +*py b*d iovpt in relation to the Exhibition enterprise.