THE SQUARE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20610, 28 July 1932, Page 14

THE SQUARE.

ARCHITECTS' ORIGINAL PROPOSALS. DIFFICULTY OF FINDING GOOD LAY-OUT. EXPLANATION BY MR WOOD. The first suggestions for the new lav-out for Cathedral square which is"now before the public were contained in a letter written to the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P.) on 'April 23rd, 1932, by Mr Cecil Wood, after consultation with his fellow architects. This letter has now been released for publication. It is printed below with a further >tatement from Mr Wood emphasising that it is almost impossible to find any design which could be termed completely satisfactory, and that before any improvement could he made an exchange of ground would be necessary. On April 23rd Mr Wood wrote the following letter to the Mayor: "In response to vour request for a suggested improvement regarding the present tram shelters and- their relation to the lay-out of Cathedral square, I have to inform you that, after a careful stud}' of the conditions, the conclusions arrived at in answer to your questions are as follows: "Godley Statue: It would not be feasible to raise this when re-erecting on tbc original site by placing it over the top of a shelter, however low the shelter might be kept, as the statue would immediately lose its proper scale and proportions. Bearing in mind the meaning and the sentiment associated with the Godley statue and the reserved plot of ground originally set aside for this purpose, and- also that the main tramway tracks run through the centre of the Square, I atn of opinion that there is no satisfactory position for a permanent, or even a temporary, tramway shelter adjacent to this reserve, as it legally stands at present. "Tramways: It is problematical what change the tramway system may undergo during the next 20 years, but some modifications may be contemplated. It cannot be denied that the tramways, with their poles, overhead gear, shelters, etc., are mainly responsible for the unsatisfactory conditions existing in Cathedral square to-day. This responsibility must be quite evident to the Tramway Board, aud should be reckoned with in considering any alterations. It is generally recognised that so long as the "trams run through and stop in the Square, shelter accommodation is desirable. At the same time thifj, fact hampers any constructive suggestions so long as the present boundaries of the" reserve are adhered to. "Future Lay-out: In seeking a satisfactory solution of the difficulties, one suggestion commends itself to me as affording an attractive method of safeguarding the Godley statue and Cathedral grounds —a re-planning that would be unaffected by the removal of the tram lines, should a future policy so dictate. "The proposal is briefly as follows: — "(1) To divert all vehicular and tram

traffic from the centre of the Square slightly to the west. " (2) To move the Godley Reserve in an easterly direction towards the Cathedral. "(3) To place the statue facing the Cathedral, the intervening ground to be laid out in grass and trees in symmetrical form. "(4) The stopping-place for trams to be made on the western side of the newly created reserve, and a shelter or shelters erected adjacent to the most convenient stopping-place in the Square. "It is noticeable that the trees now surrounding the reserve are of an unsatisfactory nature, -and one on the north-east corner is actually dying. These trees could be replaced with a more suitable variety, and the whole space to the west of the Cathedral vested as a reserve and planted to form an attractive centre for the years to come. "It is not desirable to elaborate on this idea at the moment, but the sketch plan attached herewith would afford a basis for discussion. I therefore hand this over to you, believing that the arguments for its ultimate adoption readily outweigh those against." A Further Explanation. Mr Wood's further explanatory statement is as follows: "One hesitates to step on such controversial ground as Cathedral square, but the Mayor has asked me to make an explanatory statement regarding the suggested improvements. I would therefore suggest that before any scheme for improvement is criticised, those interested should rqake themselves thoroughly conversant with the present boundaries of the reserve in the Square. When tliej' have studied this preliminary, I further suggest there een be but one conclusion: that an exchange of ground is desirable and necessary before any improvement can be given effect to. • "Before going any further I would like to make this comment: that it is well-nigh impossible to find any solution that could be termed completely satisfactory. There are difficulties that cannot he surmounted, therefore any scheme, however good, can only be in the nature of a compromise. '"lt was because of my adveise report on the present tram shelters that I offered the Mayor a suggestion for the remodelling of the Square—one that has the approval of some of my colleagues in the City. It is really not my scheme, but I am the medium for its presentation. We realise that it is not perfect, though it possesses a simplicity that appeals. ■ "There is not the slightest doubt that the tramway system makes difficulties, but as the trams are in the Square one presumes they will remain, at least so long as trams are considered a modern means of transport. The Tramway Board, I understand, contemplate a relaying of their tracks in the Square. As this expense is one the Board are already prepared to meet, helpful suggestions now may be worth consideration. "I think that the Godley Statue has a right to a permanent position, and that a well-laid-out green, with planting that would greet one from either end of Colombo street, would be an attractive feature. "I am also of opinion that any remodelling that does away with the scissor-like crosssing of the motor traffic and the tram lines, now necessary at the north and south entrances to the Square, justifies serious consideration. The extra distance that motorists would have to travel going either north or south, would be approximately sixty-five yards. Were the bend of the proposed new reserve flattened, this distance would be correspondingly reduced. "There is prevalent an impression that the south bound traffic would have to take the road at the back of the Cathedral. This is not so, as there is ample room for all traffic in two-way formation to follow round the bend of the proposed reserve. "The plan prepared is really, in the meantime, 'nothing more than a basis

for discussion, worthy of considered thought by a responsible committee." MAYOR'S REQUEST. REPORTS BY CITY COUNCIL DEPARTMENTS. -The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P.) said yesterday that reports wore being called for from the traffic and engineering departments of the City Council regarding various aspects of the proposals. One of the questions that was being enquired into was in regard to the probable cost, the Council being responsible for half of the cost of reconstructing the tramway tracks. He was anxious that the proposals should be discussed in a rational way and that there would be no fierce controversy.