The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1912. THE TRAMWAY SHELTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10442, 23 April 1912, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1912. THE TRAMWAY SHELTER.

It is evident that Christcliurch is indulging just now in a thrifty mood and that we need not look to the public for tho endorsement of any large schemes of expenditure. Both the City Council and tho Tramway Board have treated very cautiously the proposal that a comprehensive scheme should be prepared for the 1 improvement of Cathedral Square, and any proposal for the substitution of an elaborate building for tho present tramway shelter in the Square is likely to be rejected or postponed. The mood is not one to bo discouraged. The candidates for the mayoralty are all advocating the erection of a substantial town hail, and beyond tho shadow of doubt we shall have to face a heavy expenditure in this direction in the near future, but we do not believe the time is opportune for submitting such a proposal to tho ratepayers. Tho road schemes are in a different category, because Mr Bengali's scheme, with all its faults, would give us far better streets than wo have at present, and that without adding to the rates. The scheme submitted by the late Mr Taylor was better still, and we are not without hope that ifc will be revived during the coming year. But tho temper of the people is distinctly against unnecessary expenditure, and we can scarcely class tho building of a new shelter as an absolutely necessary work. When the money is available the Tramway Board will, we trust, build in accordance with some comprehensive design for the bcautification of the Square, and from what we know of tho character of tho members wo can be sure that the Board will not be unduly dilatory in carrying out its share of whatever schemo is adopted. But we aro bound to say that we do not think tho Board is called upon at this stage to countenance any nebulous schemes. It is for the City Council to consider what should be dono in this matter, to adopt a scheme and then to seek the assistance of tho Tramway Board. The Board, by tho way, is being rudely accuse<l of filching a site for its shelter from the citizens of Christchurch. We have yet to learn that the people can steal their own property. Tho land, on which tho shelter stands belongs to all the people. The Board was. given the right to use it because a shelter was demanded by the public and the Board's plans were approved by the recognised representatives of the citizens. Its action was endorsed by the City Council, and we believe that if the alternative questions of moving the shelter and moving the Godtav Statue were submitted to the voto of the people the verdict would be emphatically in favour of the retention of tho shelter. It is a simple, unpretentious building, but it is not an eyesore; at any rate, it is no eyesore to the thousands of people who find its protection welcome in wet weather. And it is surely better that tho people should have somewhere to wait in comfort for the cars than that they should be compelled to admire the scenery of an open square. A W9man with one child in her arms and another by her side is likely to ba concerned, rather with utilitarian than with artistic considerations in a southerly storm, and her opinions and views are entitled to be weighed.