CONVENIENCES IN HIGH STREET

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21646, 3 December 1935, Page 9

CONVENIENCES IN HIGH STREET

REMOVAL PROPOSED TO COUNCIL LICHFIELD STREET SITE NOT FAVOURED

More than once the Christchurch City Council has had long discussions on a proposal to remove the public conveniences from the corner of High street and Cashel street to an underground site in Lichfield street along--side the Majestic Theatre, at a cost of £IBOO. At the meeting of the council -last evening there was another long debate and after the,council had heard several suggestions the question was again referred to the works committee. One section of the council favoured leaving the conveniences where ; ,they are: another section seemed eq'ually-.ra favour of removal*to a new site, «?ut not to the Lichfield street one. 4f Committee Firm The proposal was discussed at the last meeting of the City Council, and was referred back to the committee, which, however, did not alter its recommendation that the conveniences be moved. The. debate followed the same lines as it did at the lsst mcfitini? Cr. J. K. Archer said that there was not one real argument in favour of the removal. There was no demand whatever from the general public for the change, the only persons desiring it being the property owners nearby. The council had to decide whether it would impose a great inconvenience on thousands to the financial benefit of a few. „■' „ "Misuse of Money" Cr. J. Guthrie supported the committee's proposal; but Cr. A. C. Sandston described the spending of money on moving the facilities as "misuse of public money." , , Cr. T. Andrews moved as an amendment that the conveniences be moved, the question of the site being held over for further consideration, and Cr. E. H. Andrews seconded the amendment. He repeated the' provisions of the regulations against erecting any utilitarian building on these street reserves. He said he was given to understand that another site might be available. '' ... After other councillors had given their views the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. J. W. Beanland), chairman of the,works committee, told the council of definite complaints which had been, received about the conveniences and of the proposal involving the change Of jsite. He said that he was" prepared to take the question back to the committee, and the amendment and other suggestions were withdrawn in favour of this course.