TRAMWAY SHELTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 868, 21 November 1916, Page 3

TRAMWAY SHELTER.

FOR LINWOOD PASSENGERS. OBJECTED TO BY CATHEDRAL CHAPTER. Matters in connection with the proposed tram shelter for Linwood car passengers at the south side of the Cathedral, again came before the Tramways Board at its meeting yesterday. The Works and Traffic Committee reported that having obtained the consent of the City Council for the erection of a shelter over the footpath at the south side of the Cathedral it had submitted the plans to the Cathedral Chapter, as a portion of the roof would project over the Cathedral grounds. The chapter had written objecting to any shelter being placed in that position. Some lime ago the Bank of New Zealand authorities made a similar objection to the erection of a shelter on the oilier side of the street. The letter from the Cathedral Chapter ran as follows: "We are directed to say that the chapter most strongly objects to the erection of any building which would block or obstruct any portion of the legal frontage to the public street of any part of the Cathedral grounds. The chapter is entitled legally to have the whole frontage of the grounds left unobstructed as at present, and as trustee it is its duty strictly to maintain its legal rights. "On general grounds the chapter considers that the erection of a tram shelter in the proposed position should not be tolerated. However such a building may be erected, and of whatever materials it may be constructed, it could not fail to be a great eye-sore, and would entirely destroy the symmetry and appearance of the beautiful stone kerbing surrounding the Cathedral. This kerbing, we may remind you, was the gift of a generous citizen, whose object in giving it would be largely defeated if any building or other erection were allowed to encroach upon it. This would greatly discourage other citizens from following the generous example set by the donor of the kerbing. It is further considered that the proposed building would greatly spoil the view of the Cathedral from the southern side, and also that such building would be a great inconvenience should a chapter house be hereafter erected on that side. "We are also desired to point out that the building as shown in your proposed plan, whether with or without the extension of roof over the C; thedral grounds for which you ask, would provide in the Cathedral grounds a recess or corner which would certainly be used for purposes of an undesirable nature. The extension of the roof, as proposed would tend to aggravate such a nuisance. "The chapter has no power to giant this proposed easement or to allow any encroachment upon the Cathedral grounds, and for the reasons above stated it considers it to be its duty to refuse to give any easement or sanction any encroachment even of a temporary character, and certainly to resist such a permanent encroachment as that proposed in your board's scheme. "We return you sketch plan herewith, and on behalf of the chapter have to express its regret that it finds itself wholly unable to accede to your board's request. "H. D. ANDREWS, Chancellor of the Diocese. "GEORGE HARPER, a member of the Chapter." Mr J. A. Flesher said he must confess to failing to understand the reasons adduced by the chapter for its refusal. It had evidently failed to realise that it was making for the discomfort of thousands of people. As to saying the erection would spoil, and be out of harmony with the surroundings, the chapter had never objected to the old tank which was on the site where the shelter was to

have been erected. The chapter had never objected, also, to the unsightly and insanitary water fountain fronting its gates. If the objection was still persisted in, the City Council could be approached asking for permission to erect the building on the opposite side, adjoining the Bank of New Zealand, half of the building to be on the footpath and half on the roadway. The present proposal was the best one, however, to serve the majority of the people. He therefore moved that the letter should be received, and' that the hoard again approach the chapter about the matter. The chairman (Mr C. M. dray) said that Mr Barr and himself saw the committee on the proposed ground. The committee consisted of the Dean, Mr Andrews, and Mr T. G. Strange. It was then stated that the board did not propose to encroach on the Cathedral property. Perhaps the Cathedral authorities had the right to object to a building on the footway giving approach to the grounds. He was not sure, however, of the strict legal position. The chapter authorities appeared to be acting in a very "dog-in-the-manger" spirit by standing strictly on their legal rights in spite of the permission obtained from the City Council. As far as the mention of the possibility for the erection of a chapter house went, Bishop Juiius had stated some time ago that, such a building would be on the north and not the south side. The chapter appeared to be rather disingenuous in hinting at this possibility. Mr D. Sykes said that the chapter had not considered the claims of the women and children who at present had to stand, possibly in a cold sou'wester, when waiting for a car. He suggested to the Cathedral Chapter that it should take into consideration Matthew xxv, verses 37 to 40. (Mr Sykes's reference was: "Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? . . _. And the King shall answer and "say unto them, Verily, I say unto yc.pi, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.") On Mr Barr's suggestion, Mr Flesher amended his motion to the effect that the whole matter should be referred back to the Works Committee. Mr Barr stated that the Works Committee could then decide ori any action it considered necessary. He would point out that the proposed shelter was not a temporary structure, but was to be built of stone. It would be quite in keeping and would not be out of harmony with the splendid Cathedral adjoining. Mr G. T. Booth said that there was no question of the chapter being on its defence. The chapter was trustee for a very important property, and it was quite entitled to oppose any proposal of the board which was likely to detract from the dignity of the Cathedral, or invade the rights of those for whom the chapter was trustee. The chapter might easily suggest that the necessity for the shelter was due to the board's layout of its lines, and that the board might overcome its own diflicuUy by altering the lay-out. Mr Pearce said that he did not think the chapter had power to block the proposal in the manner suggested, provided the building did not encroach on the Cathedral grounds. The board had gone out of its way to consider it by proposing to build the shelter of stone so as to harmonise with the surroundings. In any case, however, the building would not hide any part of the Cathedral, as at present a clump of trees obscured the view. Mr Flesher's motion was carried.