A CIVIC SQUARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23806, 12 May 1939, Page 3

A CIVIC SQUARE

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—lt is all very well to cry out about a civic square, but what about a concrete proposal? The representations made to the Motor Club by the Otago Expansion League shows at least that that body is persisting in the proposal, but has it anything concrete to offer? How is the cost to be provided for? Let the public have some daylight on the subject, and then maybe the public upon which your correspondents cast reflections for its apathy may be able to show that it could be awakened to a live proposal.—l am. etc. Early Worm. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Several correspondents have recently been advocating a civic square in Dunedin. It is indeed pleasing to see that there are still some people left in Dunedin who are prepared to devote their energies, even if only in writing to the press, to draw public attention to the most pressing need of opening out the area in the vicinity of the Exchange, particularly so while the opportunity presents itself by avoiding the erection of a large suite of offices on the site of the old Telegraph and Customs Building. Your correspondent “Early Settler ” has, however, allowed his zeal for the project so to outrun his sense of fairness as to attack the member for Dunedin South, His attempt by veiled insinuation to charge Mr Jones with using his influence behind the scenes to thwart the proposal is not “ playing cricket.” “ Early Settler ” asks: “Has Mr Jones some pet scheme of his own to foist on to the Dunedin public?" Well, I am sure that Mr Jones has no “pet scheme of his own," but he is most conscious of his duty as a Minister of the Crown, and his actions have received the endorsement of his constituents by a handsome majority. A s Minister in charge of the State Fire Insurance Department, he is surely not to be expected to break faith with his department over a matter that has the promise of Mr Jones’s predecessor in the previous Government. Why should Mr Jones be dragged into this correspondence, and what has he done to warrant such an unprovoked attack over the civic square? If the citizens of Dunedin are very enthusiastic ox'er the proposal, then there is a way of impressing the Government of the error of its way without personalities, and that way. in my opinion, is to get wholeheartedly behind the Otago Expansion League. But why blame the Government or any of its Ministers for that matter when our own City Fathers take no really live interest in this important movement for the future of our city? The Otago Expansion League is also accused by "Early Settler” of being half-hearted on the question. What blissful ignorance! As a member of the executive of the league, I can inform your readers that this statement is contrary to fact. The league is really the originator of the Idea, likewise that of the erection of an illuminated fountain for the city. As a matter of fact, the latter was first introduced to the citizens by myself through the Otago Expansion League, and I am happy to note that it is now accepted as the local Centennial Memorial. Many thanks to the trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank for the magnanimous gift of £IOOO towards the erection of this fairy fountain! Will Dunedin awake to the danger of losing for all time this valuable space. Let us visualise what traffic and population will require for free movement in the next 25 years or so at this spot, and I am sure that it will be at once apparent that some furthet representations should be made to the Prime Minister by our City Council, even though the Minister at present does not agree to the dedication of the land. Why not make it an issue of the forthcoming by-election? The result may impress Mr Savage. Will the citizens wake up? I wonder. Your help. Sir, is always sincerely appreciated and your attitude is well known to those interested.—l am. etc., Alex Smiley. 159 Bay View road.