CHRISTCHURCH MATTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11180, 30 January 1897, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH MATTERS.

TO THE EDITOR.. Sir, — I can see no reason whatever for “ A Christchurch Citizen’s ” objection to a rubbish yard or two, “just behind the Cathedral,” in addition to the one already there. That portion of his letter is a firstclass satire, whether intended or not, I quite agree with “ Citizen ” that the City Fathers (or mothers) are not running the town for all it is worth. They ought to engage a few guides, who, on receiving a small donation of “ backsheesh,” would conduct tourists and others over the Cathedral premises and explain: This, gentlemen, is the contractor’s hovel apparently, once new, and in the remote past roofed with real V.D.L. shingles, traces of which can be seen even now with the naked eye. In connection with this building, and in the rear, is a smaller one somewhat resembling a modern sentry box. Farther on, to the left, is the architect’s shanty, evidently of more recent construction, j being roofed with iron of comparatively modern manufacture, but withal sufficiently dilapidated and dirty to harmonise perfectly with its environment of broken fences, decaying timber, dust heaps and unfinished walls enclosing unsightly structures. The latter somewhat incongruous, perhaps, but therefore only serving to call more vividly to mind the wretched eyesores which the Copts have built in other famous ruins. When the back of Christchurch Cathedral becomes more widely known, gentlemen, one of the greatest reproaches which the colonies suffer will be removed for ever, namely, that they have no ruins. More backsheesh ! —I am, &0., KARNAK.