THE SQUARE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19646, 15 June 1929, Page 14

THE SQUARE.

TRAM SHELTER MUST GO. COMMITTEE DEFINES ITS ATTITUDE. ••We have neither approved nor disapproved of any plans with regard to the zones and verandahs in Colombo street, between the Cathedral and the Godley site/' said Mr G. Harper yesterday afternoon at the conclusion of a meeting of the Save the Square Cornmittee: "'That is a matter entirely between the City Council and the Tramway Board, and it is for the public to object if it sees fit. The Committee has no power to do so. We met for further consideration of the position. After discussion it was agreed to maintain our rights under the injunction, except that it was proposed to allow the 'wings' to be used for roading purposes, subject to conditions to be expressed in an Act of Parliament. We were determined that no buildings should be erected on any road or any portion of the roads now on the 'wings.' The tram shelter must be removed at once. With reference to what the City Council and Traniwav Board may do, we have no control over tluvh in the erection of zones or verandahs in any part of Colombo street." The meeting was also attended by Messrs W. Maehin, D. E. Wanklyn, and Dr. H. T. J. Thacker.

Dr. Thacker's Views. "In regard to this vexed question of Cathedral square," said Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, Deputy-Mayor, yesterday, "my telephone has been going since about 8 a.m., and I have told them all that the proposal made is going forward to the public as only the basis for a solution." A demand had come from the City Council delegates for the replacement of the present shelter, as they felt that they were consenting to the taking away from the public conveniences which in some shape or form must be replaced. Of course, the solution suggested would make two systems of one-way traffic, one stream going south and the other north, and in conjunction there would be safety zones.

"So far as 1 am personally concerned," said Dr. Thacker, "I stand for a complete eradication of all trespassers in the iSquare, including the tram rails. The first tilings 1 would order out would lie the trailers and I would stop the shunting, but the trams are the people's motor-cars, and these reforms cannot be carried out in a day." Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., also made a statement with Dr. Thacker's approval. "In the newspapers," he said, "statements have been made assuming that the proposals for the erection of tram shelters in the Colombo street highway in Cathedra] square in substitution for the present tram shelter were advanced by Mr J. A. Flesher and his colleagues, representing the Tramway Board This assumption is not correct. The necessity for some form of shelter for tram passengers was advanced by the representatives of the City Council, although the plans submitted by the City Engineer were accepted unanimously by the delegates.' 1