CITY IMPROVEMENTS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22081, 1 May 1937, Page 20

CITY IMPROVEMENTS

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PBESS. Sir,—lt is not many years ago since the system of un* .iproved rating was introduced in the City of Christchurch Previously there were many beautiful residences in and around the city. These homes were surrounded by areas ranging from two to 15 acres. The owners of these properties took a great interest in their holdings, which was evident by the great variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers that were cultivated. Such gardens were very attractive, in that they were beautiful and profitable—profitable, not so muchi to the owners, as to. those who lived j in the near vicinity. \ ! Now all those gardens are a thing of the past. But what is public opinion at the present time tending towards? More parks, more recreation grounds. In St. Albans, alone, there ate four parks, almost within a stone's throw of each other. If the above is any criterion of the mind of the public, what an outcry there would be if i suggested, instead of taking the tram the long route, past the hospital to Riccarton, that a branch of. the Fapanui line should pass the Salvation Hall, the Methodist Church, and along Chester street, that a roadway should be cut through Cranmer square, that a new bridge should be made to cross the river and on to Riccarton. Many would cry out, "Why, the writer is mad. The public requirements are for more recreation grounds. Why, he's a crank.". The City Council was in the past guilty of a great injustice. It gave permission for a tramway to pass through Latimer square. Now that the line is done away with, would it not be wisdom for our present council to remake the Square to its original size, close the street on both sides, and then hand it over to Mr Barnett? Am I not right in saying that Richmond park is the nearest recreation' ground to the Latimer square?— Yours, etc., '/"■'■■ CITIZEN. /. • ■ i