CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17740, 17 April 1923, Page 10

CATHEDRAL SQUARE.

TO THE *DITOB 0? "THE PMSS." Sir,—A few days ago you gave special prominence to a quotation-from some remarks made by Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., regarding the condition of Cathedral square. You told us that a defendant in a by-law case had counted no less than 32 tramcars in the Square at one time, and ttie quotation 1 refer to was as follows: "iliebquare is becoming too mu<;h of a runway station: tne traiho is too congesteu. 'i'ne city authorities should clear an tlie other veliioies out, or make the trams start elsewhere. Personally A advocate having no trams starting in the Square at all. The corners should be planted in grass and trees, and it should be a beauty spot." It certainly seems as though oeauty were being leix. out in dealing with our central and most* prominent square, and it mignt easily De made a "beauty spot." It IS perhaps specially grievous to those of us whose parents were among the very early settlers here, to realise that their carefully thought out plans, and their keen desire that our city should be as 'boautiiul as possible, are being disregarded and frustrated in this particular instance. Latimer and Cranmer squares have been jealously guarded, and are beauty spots which we ail greatly value. Then why,' when we had sucli a good foundation, should Cathedral square be turned into a raiiway station r Three-quarters of the road in front of the Cathedral is absorbed By tramway traffic—the street is now even narrower that that bv the Bank of New Zealand, and through it must pass all the other traffic of the city—motors, taxis, private cars, lorries, express cart 3, and bicycles. In an interesting article in yesterday's paper, in speaking of the Citizens' Association, you say, "It recognises the ideal of a Greater Ghristcliurcii, but in tlie meantime aims at the improvement of the city we know. It seeks to promote discussion on the proposal to centralise the administration of ah public services but sees that as yet we have transport, •and drainage, and beauthying under separate control," etc. In those last few words we have, I think, the explanation of our failure —utilitarian counsels have prevailed, absolutely regardless of any "beautifying," and transport has run riot in our Square. The Beautifying Society must weep as It looks on. Let us hope'something may be done before it is too late.— Yours, etc., )" I. B. ' April 14th, 1923.