GODLEY STATUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17587, 18 September 1917, Page 5

GODLEY STATUE.

QUESTION OF REMOVAL

DISCUSSED BY TRAMWAY BOARD.

At yesterday’s meeting of tho Christchurch Tramway Board a letter was read from the City Council asking tho board to contribute half the cost (£SO) of removing Godley statue to a site in the Cathedral grounds. The council expressed the opinion that as the erection of tho . board’s central shelter necessitated the alteration, the board could reasonably bo asked to contribute.

Tho Hon J. Barr suggested that tho matter should bo referred to the Works and Traffic Committee to ascertain if tho board could legally contribute, and with power to act-

Mr S. A. Staples said that lie had been assured by a gentleman whom he would not namfe that this gentleman was willing to contribute £25 to tho cost of removal.

Mr T. H. Davey said 'that ho could see no reason why the statue should bo removed. The board had never discussed any matter from the point of view of beautifying Cathedral Square, but purely from tile point of view of tho convenience of the tram-using public. The question of dividing the shelter, so as to provide a view' of the statuo had never been discussed, and tho speaker was of opinion that it would be better for tho board to assist tho citizens to beautify Cathedral Square by altering the shelter, but ho opposed moving the statue. It would bo advisable that members of tho board and tho council should confer on this matter before action was taken. It seomed by no means certain that the Cathedral Chapter would now consent to givo a place for the statute on its grounds. , The Hon J. Barr said that he had never liked tho present sito of the Godley statue. Ho suggested, however, that a remedy for some of the present disabilities in connection with the statue would bo to take away the railing and continue tho steps down to tho ground level. Under all circumstances, however, he thought it would bo as well if the statue were removed as suggested by tho council. Mr Davey moved as an amendment to Mr Barr’s motion, “ That the City Council bo asked to appoint representatives to meet representatives of the board in conference on the subject. He nominated the chairman, Messrs Booth and Barr and tho mover as 'tho board s representatives. Mr G. T. Booth seconded th c amendment pro forma, remarking that ho would oppose any proposal to remove tho statuo, even if it were certain that the Cathedral grounds were available for a now site- The difficulty in connection with the statue arose out of tho board’s action in making Cathedral Square a traffic station, and lie hoped nothing would bo done in tho direction of •tho'council’s suggestion. Mr H Pearce said the board had not. made Cathedral Square a traffic station. That responsibility rested on the travelling public. The proper place for the ktatui was facing north. He felt sure no disrespect! was meant to tho founders of tho province by those who recommended tho removal or tne stnUuG* Mr j. A. Fleshor suggested that the best site for the statuo would be at the junction of High and Colombo Streets, opposite tho Bank of New Zealand. Ho would support Mr Barr s “mjD. Sykes said that it was better to devote the square to the living than to the dead. , , Th 0 chairman said that ho was mayor of Christchurch twenty-four years after the statuo was erected, and the question then arose in the council: \\ ho was John Robert Godley?” .As the result, of seeking for information then the speaker was instrumental in having the words "founder of Canterbury” added to lhe> inscription on tho statue. The amendment was lost and Mr Barr’s motion was carried, Messrs Booth, Staples and Davey dissenting.