LAWNS ON GODLEY PLOT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23411, 19 August 1941, Page 8

LAWNS ON GODLEY PLOT

REPAIR NECESSARY

WAR-TIME USE AND PUBLIC

NEGLECT

The Christchurch City Council has. Hdd difficult in maintaining the green plots surrounding the Godley Statue in 1 Cathedral square, because of their use by pedestriarisond others and .returfing has become, necessary. Other steps will be -taken, to’ let;the' public know that the plots should not be worn down by excessive use. - ; - The reserves, committee of the council, in a report last evening, said that the condition- of the plots had deteriorated rapidly since the outbreak of the y?ar. ; Other causes were; The continued use of fbe Godley, Plot as a focal point fbr patriotic functions, thus causing a - greater ' congregation of people in the vicinity-. the Use of the stpfie margin of the upper terrace as a resting place.*- The scuffling'of the feet by-'people , while - sitting on the stone Coping above;tads'; completely worn out the ori-''thai portion' of' the lawn below. - AtUhe nrirthem - side ■ several square yards, were ' disturbed ’ some months ago to carry out repairs tb the roof pfithe area was not-retiufed,’the work-being held over until further consideration could be. given to. the. plot -as aTV/hole.: , r'lv.-jiew Public 'Begartf.v:

“lt. is a;pecuiiar fact .that once a spot such as the. one inquestionshows signs of: neglect, - the -public generally have less regard for it ;and do hot hesitate to complete the destruction," the report adds. '?Wtac|n: -‘flnrt''liiid.’-’oiit,\ 'generally speaking, the public respected the lawns and flower-beds, but people now, especially, youths, hasten across this area by- the nearest-possible route ihstead- of keeping to the sprrounding foptpdths;,Only ‘ stout. Iron ’ railing s round the outer; kerbihg apd'On either aide of: the through pavement would prevent such encroachment : of the thoughtless-on td .the' Tawns. SUch’ a deterrent is,. however, ' riot ■ recommended;’- ■■ ■■ ■ ■ ■' “The -question of paving the whole of the lower area-with concrete blocks similar to those used in the through pavement is estimated to cost approximately £2OO. Such a 1 scheme would be permanent rind would Reduce the cost of mairitenance, but would by ho means present the same effect' as the green lawn would.. To. Improve the preserit condition of the plot, the com-mittee-has decided, that all worn and bare patches^be‘ Teturfed < (this work could be put in immediately), and that small distinguishable, but unobtrusive, notices be placed at each corner, requesting the public ; to keep off tee 'grass. s - It .has slid been decided, that a pavement be placedaround the base of the stone wall around the upper. iterrace.^