SQUARE MAIN TOPIC

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32778, 1 December 1971, Page 6

SQUARE MAIN TOPIC

Fifty representatives of women’s organisations in Christchurch met the Mayoress (Mrs Alexia Pickering) in the City Council Chambers yesterday.

Mrs Pickering called the gathering to discuss aspects of council work of particular interest to women. The plan for realigning Cathedral Square was the main topic. The plan had been approved in principle, but minor changes could be made. “Now is the time to speak out,” Mrs Pickering said.

Unanimous approval for a council-run creche was expressed. The Women’s Division of Federated Farmers made a particularly strong plea for a creche, pointing out the difficulties for women coming from the country with small children, said Mrs Pickering.

Provision of a rest room and public toilets was also considered essential. Mrs Pickering believes these facilities should be situated in Cathedral Square, and explained that the Post Office had been asked to provide them. Informal discussions had been held with the council.

“These are necessary facilities, and should be readily accessible,” said Mrs Pickering. “A woman rang me a few days ago saying

she was concerned that there was no public toilet to which she could take a seven-year-old boy, and she would not allow him to go to the underground toilets in the Square on his own. This is something else which must be considered.”

. Inclusion of a permanent t stall in the plan was also I discussed. “A permanent structure which organisations could use for their Friday , stalls in the Square was in- ; eluded in the plan two years ■ ago, but is not there now,” ‘ said Mrs Pickering. She con- ■ siders there may be some opposition to the erection of 1 tents on the new garden ’ plots. Mrs Pickering was pleased with results of the gathering, which she hopes will become ■ a bi-monthly event. “Well informed” “The women were very ’ well informed and interi ested," she said. “I was , amazed at the way in which , they came forward with . suggestions and ideas.” i These, Mrs Pickering will . refer to the appropriate . quarters. Delegates agreed . to go back to their organisa- ! tions to gain members’ . opinions. “I hope that they ' will put their suggestions , into writing formally and , send them to the council,” i she said.

Mrs Pickering sees the gatherings as providing a forum for discussion, and herself as liaison between the women’s organisations and the council. She is not attempting to co-ordinate the work of women’s organisations. “That is not my job, and I think there is already a good deal of liaison,” she said.

The photograph (above) shows Mrs Pickering, and Mrs Gwen Samson, the president of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, examining the plan for realigning Cathedral Square-