DISFIGURING THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17017, 16 April 1923, Page 6

DISFIGURING THE CITY.

Many years a certain Mayor of Christchurch, Mr Eden George, solemnly proposer 7 that the roof of the Anglican Cathedral should he let for advertising. The Cathedral C u’.pter were scandalised, very properly, for the Anglican community have ever been jealous for the beauty of the C athedral City. It is only a matter of months since the Primate, Archbishop Julius, “threw a brick.” so to speak, at that inartistic piece of masonry erected in the Casliel Street triangle. He said it was “ horrible,” and indeed he was right. His unexpected tilt at a palpable city disfigurement must have been exceedingly gratifying to those who had protested strongly against the perpetration of j suc-h an architectural absurdity. We j should like to have the Archbishop’s j candid views on the caiico signs or I hoardings that have been erected on i the Cathedral lawn. It seems to us i that they are a very great disfigure--1 nient to the city, and for that matter j they have been erected without- refer- j ! once to the City Council, and in face j I n f -\ recent decision by the council : that no further permits for hoardings should be granted in the city. The object which these calico signs advertise is a most worthy one, but this, obviously, is a point that cannot be considered in relation to the main question. The Cathedral Chapter has set a very had precedent to the city, and one that cannot be allowed to pass ini challenged.