THE SQUARE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 10

THE SQUARE.

CATHEDRAL CHAPTER'S RESOLUTIONS. PROPOSALS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL. The following letter from the Cathedral Chapter was received at last night's meeting of the City Council:— The Christchureh Cathedral, Diocesan Office, ITS Cashel street, Christchureh, N.Z. September 12th, 1929. The Town Clerk, Christchureh. Dear Sir, — CATHEDRAL SQUAKE. On behalf of the Cathedral Chapter we have to advise you that the Chapter has given very careful consideration to the proposals as to the lay-out of the Square placed before it at the conference held a month ago. The matters being of great importance to the Cathedral, and of no little complexity, the Chapter has felt it necessary to take time for the fullest consideration before stating the conclusions it has come to upon the points raised. We have now to inform you that at its meeting yesterday the following resolutions were passed by the Chapter:— 1. That the Chapter, after full consideration of Mr Mawson's plan and all matters submitted to it by the representatives of the Joint Conference, cannot approve of his plan so far as it affects the Cathedral grounds, for the following reasons: — (a) The Chapter considers that, apart altogether from the question of noise, it is wholly unfitting that the trams should circle round three sides of the Cathedral, and possibly stand, and shunt, in such extremely close proximity to the "building as that suggested by the plan. (b) The plan involves taking away an altogether unreasonable area of the present Cathedral grounds, and would bring the boundary almost up to the present building itself, leaving insufficient room for future extension or rebuilding. (e) No provision ia made for giving an equivalent new area to the Cathedral in place of the ground proposed to bn taken away. 2. That the Chapter has also examined a plan called Plan No. 3, submitted to it by the representatives of the Tramway Board on the Joint Conference, and has fully considered the proposals there in set out in so fat as they affect the Cathedral grounds. 3. The Chapter, having fully considered the whole matter as at present before it, is prepared to re commend to the favourable consideration of Synod any definite proposals that may be submitted, provided that such proposals comply with the following conditions: — (a) That no land be taken at the east of the Cathedral grounds, and that no tram lines at this point be brought any nearer the Cathedral boundary than they ajre at present. (b) That the line proposed as the new boundary of the Cathedral grounds be in no place closer to the Cathedral than that shown as the new boundary on the Plan No. 3 submitted by the representatives of the Tramway Board, but if possible shall be somewhat further away. (c) That any area taken from the Cathedral grounds be made up by the City giving up to the Cathedral a total equivalent area on the west, north, and south in the positions indicated on the said Plan No. 3, the portions so given up to be vested in the Church Property Trustees in trust for the Cathedral without any restriction. (4) That any restriction with regard to building on any portion or portions of the land at present held by and to be retained by the Cathedral be removed. (e) That the kerbing of the Cathedral grounds be replaced and made good on the new boundary lines to the satisfaction of the Chapter; and that everything necessary to make the new areas part of the Cathedral grounds, and to put them in suitable order be also done to the satisfaction of the Chapter. (f) That all necessary legislation be obtained, all work done, and all titles duly perfected free of expense to the Chapter or the Church Property Trustees. Tho Chapter desires to point out that any land ' that might be acquired by the Chapter at the western end of the Cathedral under the above proposals would be less than the area which was originally owned by the Cathedral in that situation and which was given up by it in exchange for the outer portions of the present wings. It should be clearly understood that the Chapter is not asking for any change in the present lay-out of the Cathedral grounds; and it is of opinion that the advantages of one-way traffic through the Square and the restoration and beautifying of the Godley Statue Reserve can be secured without sueh change being necessary. If, however, there is found to be any such necessity, in connexion with the interests of the City as a whole, and for the general improvement of the Square, the Chapter is willing to consider any definite proposals, on the conditions as set out above. We are, Yours faithfully, H. D. ANDREWS, Chancellor. J. de B. GALWEY, Secretary. It was decided to refer the letter to the Joint Committee for consideration.