PLAYING AREAS FOR CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 10

PLAYING AREAS FOR CHILDREN

♦ CASE OF LATIMER SQUARE DISCUSSION BY BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION When the beautifying of Latimer square came up for consideration at a meeting of the Christchurch Beautifying Association last evening, a considerable difference of opinion was revealed. Mr T. S. Dacre mentioned that there was already a plan in existence vdudi provided for a double path with flow ers down the centre. It had b«n oD jected that the square wasagwm playing area for children and tot the introduction of flowers would pre it from being used in this wayplan mentioned, however, allowed msame playing area as at Present. Mr E. H. Andrews said that there was a general opinion that until tre»i playing areas were provided for c i - dren in that quarter of the city Latimer square should be kept as a piajing preserve. , . Mr H. L. Bowker said he was not m sympathy with the idea of. fl°wc r beds, which would ividoubtedly restrict children’s play. The square was close to East Christchurch School, which was not well provided for in the way of grounds. Children, said Mr Bowker, were of much greater importance than flowers. Very few children used the square, said Mr Dacre. Young women Poetised there for sports occasionally, but they were not an acquisition to the city, on account of their half-naked condition. Flowers could be placed outside the trees, where they would not affect games. Mr I. F. Sladen. who was in the chair, said he had lived in the square and had not seen many children there. Mr J. Sturrock moved that the association approve of the proposal to beautify Latimer square, not necessarily with flower beds, without encroaching on the playing area. Mr Anderson said that the motion would be very little use as a guide to the City Council, because the council would not know what the association meant by “beautify.” The square was already beautifulwith its grass and trees, declared Mr Bowker - . He was opposed to the introduction of flowers. After further discussion, the motion was carried.