SAFETY OF ST. PAUL’S

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18262, 4 December 1933, Page 3

SAFETY OF ST. PAUL’S

PROBABLE BILL IN PARLIAMENT RESULT OF SURVEY LONDON, Oct. 11. Some time ago Canon Alexander, who, as treasurer of .St. Paul’s, was responsible for raising over £400,000 for the restoration of the cathedral, proposed the defining of what ho termed a “sacred area” within which no excavations should he permitted which would imperil the safety of the fabric. This proposal is dealt with in a report which is to bo presented to the Dean and Chapter within tlie next few days by engineers who for the past two years have been making a complete survey of the area adjacent to the cathedral. There, is reason to believe that the City Corporation will take, a sympathetic view of the measures proposed. Some opposition must, however, be expected from property-owners apprehensive of the restrictions which may lie placed on the development of their sites. DANGER OF BUILDING

r Phe need for the survey arose from the danger threatening the cathedral in the event of modern building operations being carried out in its near neighborhood. Astonishing as it may seem, the foundations of the great church are only 4J>i'L deep. Beneath them there is only 6ft. of earth resting upon a bed of wet sand about 20ft. deep. The consistency of the sanil is dependent on springs which How under the cathedral from north-east to south-west. The authorities fear that if deep foundations are made for new buildings near the cathedral the springs would be. cut off, with consequent contraction of the sand-bed. If that happened the cathedral would topple to destruction. At present neither the City Corporation nor the Dean and Chapter have any legal power to prevent such a disastrous step being taken. Leases in the neighborhood will shortly run out, and the Dean and Chapter are deeply concerned for the safety of the cathedral.