THE GREY STATUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18197, 16 September 1922, Page 10

THE GREY STATUE.

REASONS FOR REMOVAL ELIMINATING TRAFFIC DANGER. A statement was made by thi Mayor yesterday as to the reasons that gujded the City Council in its removal of the Sir George Grey statue to" Albert Park. " The position appears to have been totally misunderstood," said Mr. Gunsdn. " When the statue was erected there weifl no tramways in Upper Queen Street, and therefore it was then quite approximately placed. • After the tram service was , opened it became apparent at once that the statue was a source of dinger to a very large number of the public who made use of the base as a resting placs. Two preventive proposals were submitted —a fence or, as was done, a base cover .of shrubs. It was not at any time the wish' of the council to interfere at all with tho statue, but circumstances compelled what has been termed ' the absurd screen of fdirge.' "It would have been a very simple matter," continued the Mayor, " to have trimmed that screen of foliage, but that was not the question. As a matter of fact, neither the council nor the travelling public appreciated the grave risk that was involved by having the statue on its old site between the tramway tracks. The danger was emphasised at once by the acting-tramways mantger, Mr. A. E. Ford, who pointed out the possibility of j, tramcar leaving the line on the downward track at the bend approaching the slatue. So, Ecting on expert advice, the council decided upon the removal of the statue to a more commanding site, where there will be neither traffic risks nor the. need for a 'screen of foliage.,' "