Latimer Square

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21967, 16 December 1936, Page 10

Latimer Square

It is to be hoped that whatever action the City Council may take to " beautify" Latimer square, nothing will be done to interfere with its usefulness as a playing area for children. The square in its present condition is by no means unsightly; indeed, its broad expanse of grass and the surrounding trees offer a very pleasant reljef from the buildings with which it is surrounded. If flower beds can be added to the square without restricting the playing area its appearance would possibly be improved, but there is a good deal, to be said for Mr H. L. Bowker's argument at Monday's meeting of the Christchurch Beautifying Association that flower beds would restrict children's play. In a part of the city which is not well provided with playing areas that would be a mistake for which no added beauty would compensate. The days when Mr T. S. Dacre's objection to " half-naked" young women practising for sports in the square could be successfully upheld vanished a longer time ago than we care to remember. Women's sports are not played to-day in clinging draperies and it will require more evidence than Mr Dacre has adduced to convince most people that there is anything objectionable in the exposure of clean young limbs to sunshine and fresh air, provided that reasonable decency is observed. The square was intended as a playing area and a place of beauty; it is already fulfilling both requirements.