VICTORIA SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11028, 17 March 1914, Page 1

VICTORIA SQUARE.

TOWN HALL WOULD ADD BEAUTY SOME RIVERBANK IMPROVEMENTS. 'The chief objection, to the use of Victoria Square for a : Town Hall - site 'is that the city would be robbed of an open space. The objection.is hardly just, because there would still be a large open area after ..the ball had been built. To begin with the building would not extend south more than a few yards beyond the site of the band rotunda. This would leave a wide space on two sides .of the .triangle occupied by the - building, irrespective of the plot on which the Queen's statue stands. ■' ■ • The location of the band is proposed to be moved to tho site of the Queen's statue, which in. turn could bo placed at the apex of the Town Hall triangle. It has even been suggested that. the. Godley statue should stand near the front entrance to the Town Hall,, and that the Queen's • , statue should be placed in front of the Supreme Court. These are matters of detail that become important when considering the open space that would be left, after a Town Hall had been built. The Queen's triangle is small, but it could bo enlarged by an extension right tor tho. river bank,, closing up the strip.; of road near the watering place for horses. This road, which was not; contemplated when the square was lakl out, would be useless when its continuation to.the Colombo Street Bridge was closed, in tho ordinary course of building. The watering place could be, done away with. Already it is the most unbeautiful portion of.tho city river bank. This, would leave a magnificent grass triangle, running with a gradual slope to tho river. Tho city might then secure control of the opposite bank, which is now indifferently beautified by the Justice Department, The carriers' stand could be abolished, and the little telephone booth removed from the Armagh Street Bridge. A judicious thinning or planting-of trees on the western river bank would throw the beautiful Supreme Court building into greater prominence.

There are mnnv other details of the ul:ni that require consideration. To build across the river -would mean the confining of the river with a key wall. The stream would then run through tlic foundation? in a narrow arched elianwl. which would not he accessible to boats. However, there has never been any Iwating on that part of the river, owing to its shallowness. A hi" town hall would also throw the two bridges into iii significance. but they rould he remodelled to a wide approach to. the back of the town hall/ It is proposed thai, steps shall lead to the front or office entrance, hut at the back, across the river, where tho concert diamlwr will he situated, ("here wouVl be no-steps, und the public'would go straight in off ground level. Probably there would be a drive, and a large port ico under _ which uvoior-cn rs could be driven. Thh front of the town hall would have rather mean l;ui ii would !v> used mosily'nt. nio;bi. IVohablv a broad .curved drive rnuld vwrwp in from if.*(. oi'i ji !i r i<? -zc .•■Mid iu; I ron; Colombo Si reel brid'ie.