Historic link could aid road protests

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 4

Historic link could aid road protests

Objections to the planned widening of Madras Street could be strengthened by a historic link between St John’s Anglican Church and the Masonic Lodges of Canterbury. The Latimer Square church stands to lose the north-west corner of its grounds if the widening proceeds. A lodge member. Mr R. E. Edwards, has appealed to his lodge brothers to “fight this highway robbery.” He hopes masons will object to the widening provisions .in the Christchurch City Councils District Scheme Review. Objections close today. In 1864. the lodges were responsible for laying St John's foundation stone, said Mr Edwards. Lodge members had met in the city and marched in full regalia to the church site at the corner of Madras Street, and Hereford Street. Annually. since 1864. lodge members " gathered at the church for a masonic service. Mr Edwards said. St John's Church and grounds were "part of the

heritage of the masonic brethren and the peoples of Christchurch." Mr Edwards said that help was needed to save the historic site for future generations. Previous road-widening had already allowed traffic noise "to penetrate into the sanctity of this historic old church.” he said. Further widening would increase noise by bringing traffic closer to the church walls. The Anglican City Mission activities at the church meant it was in daily use and so traffic would have a "disruptive" effect. The Rev. Peter Coughlan said that income gained by rents would be lost when 10 to 12 car-parking spaces were taken in the widening. The income helped to pay for the upkeep of the church. income would make it hard to keep the church alive on its valuable innercitv site.

Compensation would be paid for the loss of rent, but this would not keep pace with inflation. Mr Coughlan said. Acess to the church would

also be hindered by the widening. as the yard area would be lost. An old treet which had a protection order would also have to be felled and two other trees, similarly classified, would be endangered. he said. The Church Property Trustees had objected to the reading designations. He believed the matter was likely to go to the Planning Tribunal in about a month, Mr Coughlan said. Although the widening was not planned for about 10 years. Mr Coughlan said that he believed the corner area was regarded as a "first priority."

The church, and neighbourhood groups, were thinking of setting up a stall and collecting signatures to back their objections. Mr Coughlan said that, he was most concerned that Latimer Hostel would be demolished for the widening.

The loss of its 60 beds would be sorely felt. A strain would be added to social services and inner-city accommodation, he said.’