THE SQUARE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 10

THE SQUARE

VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION'S DISCUSSION Various improvements to Cathedral square, including alteration to the Cathedral grounds, and removal of the tram shelter and telephone cabinet at the north end. were discussed at last evening's meeting of the Chnstchurch Beautifying Association. There weie present: Messrs H. B. Owen (m the chair), G. Bradley, J. Sturrock, F L. Drurv, W. Stewart, V. E. Egglestone, and H. Tillman (honorary secretary). Commenting on the grounds of the Cathedral, the chairman said that tne association had been justified n ns contention that improvement could be made. Since the Cathedral Chapter had granted it permission to care lor the grounds nine points at which. water could be obtained had been connected. In the south and eastern ends oX the grass plots there were still bare patches, which in the autumn might be returfed, and a quite creditable job made of the work. As the chapter had granted the use of the northern section for the War Memorial, which would upset tne Brass plot, it had been suggested that use of the turf could be made for filling in the recesses on the north side Where this had been done on the south side the effect was pleasing and advantage should be taken of the erection of the memorial to complete the work. Scattered Litter The amount of litter both dropped and blown over into the Cathedral grounds was amazing, but the association had endeavoured to maintain tidiness by arranging for a man to collect the rubbish every Saturday morning. _ , The Christchurch Tramway Board had been requested to place containers for used tickets in the trams to avoid the unsi%'htliness of their lying about the square and the streets, but the pressure of business had necessitated the holding over of the letter by the board's works committee. Though objection might be made because of the cost of the containers, the trouble saved in collection would more than balance. Members stated that containers as requested were already installed on the one-man trams. "There is no doubt that the Cathedral plot looks better, but an outstanding eyesore is the stone fence," said Mr J. Sturrock. Could not something be done about this? he asked. The chairman: Undoubtedly the fence is unsightly and unnecessary, and at one end of the grounds the grass is so worn that the track would be better converted into a regular path. The association should endeavour to secure the permission of the Cathedral Chapter to remove the fence as an experiment, and have it stored. We cculd have a man on two days a week and Saturday mornings checking people from walking over the grass. The meeting decided to adopt Mr Owen's suggestion. The Acting Town Clerk wrote that in response to the association's request for more rubbish containers in the central area of the city, arrangements had now been made for additional containers to. be constructed and placed in the streets. Tram Shelter Replying to the association's enquiry as to whether the northern shelter in the square could be removed, the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) wrote that the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) now had the question in hand, and a review would be made upon the completion of a tally that was now being taken.

"One often notices that the seats are unoccupied, and are not used by the Iram passengers/' commented Mr Owen. "The square has developed a regular population, and while one does not blame them for using the seats, they would really be just as well in the sunshine facing the Godley plot as in the draughty sheds." The Port and Telegraph Department wrote that although it was always anxious to meet the wishes of the association as far as possible, it regretted being unable to accede to its request that the telephone cabinet alongside the north tram shelter in the square be removed. The association would probably be aware, the letter slated, that to improve the appearance of the square round Godley scatue the aerial wires to the telephone cabinet had been removed and the leads placed in underground cablealso, that the cabinet had been painted m colour similar to that of the shelter. While the trams were centred in the •square the cabinet was considered to be a publlc utility, and from the returns it was obvious that the telephone was appreciated by many users It was clear, therefore, that if the cabmel were removed the public would be greatly inconvenienced, and the department would be deprived of a source of revenue or a comment"" WaS received without