THE PUBLIC STANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12532, 20 June 1901, Page 3

THE PUBLIC STANDS.

THE QUESTION OP' STABILITY. DISCUSSION BY THE EXECUTIVE. Some discussion took place at a meeting of the Royal Visit Executive yesterday afternoon in. regard to the stability of the public stands in. Victoria Square and Hag-ley Park, about which some correspondence has recently been published. Mr W. H. Cooper, chairman of the Platforms Committee, reported that the, committee, together with representatives of. the Press and the City Surveyor, had made a thorough ■ inspection of the platforms. The Surveyor could find no laulb with them, and the' committee was satisfied that there would lie no xisk attached to the use of them by the public. Mr S. Hurst Seager had aflso inspected them, and had expressed a similar opinion. Those who -had written to the newspapers, criticising 'the platforms, were, therefore, in the wrong, and there was no ground •for fear. The City Surveyor had arranged for a meeting of the Builders' Association in connection with the matter. A setter had also been published criticising the action of the P!a,tform3 in selling tickets for standing room on the platforms in Hagley Park. He would like to explain that only four such tickets had been issued, and that had been done under a misapprehension. ' Two of the tickets could be traced, and would be recalled 1 . It was. quite wrong for people to suppose that the committee was overcrowding the platforms. Mr H. Pearce, president of the Builders' AssociaJtion, stated that, it had not yet been approached in the matter, hut if the committee desired it to inspect the platforms it would probably do so. The Chairman.. (Mr A. E. G. Rhodes) stated that it was the Association of Architects which had been approached. Mr C. M. Gray said that he was quite, satisfied there was no danger, but, in order to allay any feeling which might exists he would move, that the Builders' Association should be approached, with a view to obtaining a report as soon, as possible. Mr Cooper seconded this. Mr B. Pi Manhire opposed the motion. He said, that there was no doubt at all about the platforms being quite safe. He did not think that the general public had any fear in the matter, after the reports which had been submitted .already. Mr E. W. Roper moved, as an amendment, that, in view of the statements of experts, the committee was quite satisfied with the condition of the stands. This was seconded by Mr Manhire. Mr R. M. Maedonald also expressed a strong opinion that there was no danger, and no need for fear. The cry which had been raised in regard to putting, in a few nails, he said, was absurd. Mr Gray said it was true that the committee Avas quite satisfied, hut he thought that something should be done in the direction . indicated, merely to a.llay any feeling which might possibly exist among the public. Mr C. H. Winny endorsed what had been -said with regard to the platforms being quite safe. Mr J. Anderson said there was no doubt whatever that the stands were quite, safe. Hs did not think that the committee should pander to those who rushed into print in the manner which had been adopted in connection with the stands. The City Surveyor, who was a thoroughly competent man, had passed the structures. The speaker himself, who knew something about these tilings, could say that' the stands were exceedingly strong structures. He did not think the committee should take any. further notice of what had been said. (Hear, hear.) The amendment was carried, 'and it was also decided, on the motion of Mr A. Kaye, seconded hy Mr Roper, that no further steps, should be taken in the matter. / • Last evening, Mr E. J. Righton, secre-. tary to- the Executive,, received a' ; ,letter from Mr F. J.' Barlow, honorary secretary to the Association of Architects, in reply to a communication in regard to the stands. The letter stated that a meeting of the Association had been called for 12' o'clock to-day r and the .'secretary had ino doubt that the members Avould agree to submit a report; on the stability of the stands.