Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18509, 21 March 1922, Page 2

THE SITE OF CARGILL’S MONUMENT. TO THE BOITOB. | Sib,—Sentiment plays a large and, it must be admitted, important part in the question of Cargill’s monument,/ but for how long is it possible to allow sentiment to govern progress? Utility is the watchword of the age, and utility as applied to monuments must be considered along with questions of a less sentimental character. Cargill’s monument. I am afraid, is becoming more i f a byword instead of, as was intended, 3, standing remembrance of a personality whom it would be to the advantage 01 many of our present holders of public positions to copy. On the showing of writers on both sides of the question the uses the monument is put to in its present position are anything but edifying, and the close proximity of a public convenience, usually associated with the strictest privacy, does not add to its amenities. The alteration in the starting places of the trams has rendered the site of the convenience of a rather too public nature. It also forces tlie travelling public to bo unwilling witnesses and listeners to the performances of soap box orators end religious maniacs not 'to mention the sight of derelicts whose apparent sole occupation is to see and be seen. Whatever claim the Salvation Army has to its meeting site should have just consideration, but even its claim should not bar progress. The site the monument occupies is unsuitable, being cramped for room. As a drinking fountain the monument is obsolete, the standard bubbling typo taking its place is more sanitary. Its utility then being questioned, it must lie considered rs a monument pure and simple. The design is one which can only be appreciated from a fair distance on either side, and it could also with advantage be raised considerably. If it were put in the middle of the balloon loop the required distance would be obtained, and the effect Would bo an acquisition to the at present, open space. Dr Situ art’s monument, could be placed cither in the corner of First Church grounds or* the centre of Anzac square. ihe claim of Knox Church as a site might be considered, but First Church, as a more central position, would be more suitable. The site vacated by Cargill’s monument could be replaced by a modern shelter for the travelling public, and the convenience as at present for men’s use converted to one for the use of women. The present convenience is anyway far too small as well as much 1 too public. If it, was not considered a disgrace to place it at the foot of Cargill’s | monument it will not be venturesome to suggest that the centre of the balloon loop 1 would be a good site for the men’s convenience, which could be constructed with ventilation other than that afforded by the entrance and exits. The shelter as suggested need not he of an unsightly character, but should be made as open as possible, with an arrangement for sliding panels on the lines of those in the new combination cars, so that such protection against the weather can be obtained as the direction of the wind demands, together with the benefit of fresh air, while protection from the sun should be ensured when necessary. A suitable structure inside would be reouired to give privacy to the women’s retiring rooms, : but, barring accommodation for the ticket : se'lcr, who is at present accommodated >'n j what might be termed a dog box, which 1 in wet weather is totally unsuitable, the structure could be mainly brick and steel piles, with a roof of an imposing nature, 1 preferably of tiles. I A notice to the effect that the shelter was for the travelling public only would have the effect of disposing of the derelicts, without restricting the rights of the general public, who. through weather conditions, might require temporary shelter. This matter of tramway shelter can no longer be overlooked.—l am, etc., No Fossil, i Dunedin, March 20.