WAR MEMORIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 4

WAR MEMORIAL.

QUESTION OF STEEL The question of a site for the proposed memorial to fallen soldiers in Christchurch was discussed at the meeting of the City Council last evening. Mr D. Scott, secretary of the War Memorial Committee, wrote stating •that the committee recommended the erection of a cenotaph to fallen Boldiers, and asked for permission to place one in that part of Cathedral Square formerly occupied by the Godley Statue. Councillor H. T. Armstrong moved that the question should be deferred until the next meeting of the council. There was a great diversity of opinion as to which was the most suitable site for the memorial, and councillors should have time to consider the matter. Councillor J. 0. Jameson seconded the motion. Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said that if the cenotaph was erected on the proposed site a view of it would be blocked by the tramway shelter. Personally, he thought the shelter should be removed from the Square, and the trams also. Councillors: Hear, hear. Continuing, Councillor Sullivan said that if the Tramway Board would not consent to remove the shelter from the Square it might consent to some arrangement to get it opened at the back. He did not see why the view of a monument to fallen soldiers should be blocked by an unsightly shelter. Councillor J. W. Beanland said he thought the Square was the place for the cenotaph. However, he thought the shelter should be altered so that re would not block a view of .the monument. Councillor Flesher said that If the mopument was placed in the Square it would be completely dwarfed by the Cathedral. There were other places equally as central, such as the triangle at the corner of High and Cashel Streets, or the triangle opposite the Bank of New Zealand. He thought the matter should be referred to the Reserves Committee for consideration. If the cenotaph had to be placed in the Square the Cathedral grounds should be used. It could be erected on the south side of the Cathedral to correspond with Godley Statue on the north. Councillor Cuthbert Harper said he was opposed to dividing or altering the tram shelter. He thought it should be removed altogether. Councillor C. P. Agar said it would be a mistake to place the monument in Cathedral Square. The War Memorial Committee Bhould be asked to submit other sites, and then the council could choose the most suitabl®. Councillor Armstrong's motion was carried. , v ' >