BUS TRAFFIC IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26857, 9 October 1952, Page 3

BUS TRAFFIC IN CHRISTCHURCH

CATHEDRAL SQUARE TERMINI COMMENT ON SUGGESTED MOVE In view of the growth in traffic in the Christchurch city area and the conversion from trams to buses, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Maclarlane, M.P.) believes that bus termini for the Christchurch Transport Board’s vehicles should be moved from Cathedral square. “The board will have to think about building either one big terminus elsewhere or a number o£ smaller termini about the city,” said Mr Macfarlane. “It may inconvenience picture patrons, although they would probably have only a few minutes’ walk, but it will have to come some time.” Mr Macfarlane said he had suggested a meeting between the Metropolitan Licensing Authority and four members of the board to discuss the erection of bus termini outside the Square, when the authority approved the use of the board’s new buses on the New Brighton route. “This is a matter for common-sense discussion between the board and the authority.” he said. He was surprised that the board had not made the suggested meeting public. Mr F. L. Brandt, chairman of the transport board, said last evening that Mr and the board seemed to be at cross-purposes about the meeting. He had never heard any mention or received any communication on the suggested meeting Mr Macfarlane spoke about, and for that reason it had never been made public. He said he intended to see Mr Macfarlane next week and check up on the position. “As far as I can recollect, there has ■ been no mention of having bus termini outside Cathedral square,” said the , general manager of the board (Mr J. F. Fardell). He had received no adi vice of any meeting to discuss the erection of bus termini outside Cathei dral square. Commenting on Mr Macfarlane’s ; statements that he considered “the ■ board will have to think about build--1 ing one big terminus elsewhere or a ; number of smaller termini about the ; city,” Mr Fardell asked where could . the board build a terminus handy to ' the centre of the city? “If they were to give us Victoria square to tear up. ; well, I suppose that would be alj right ; by us. On the other hand, however, s I don’t think the public would be very happy about walking as far as, say, Madras street on a wet night to catch I a bus home.”