MEMORIAL COLUMN IN THE SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17036, 9 May 1923, Page 6

MEMORIAL COLUMN IN THE SQUARE.

If the erection of a memorial column in Cathedral Square would hasten the removal of the tramway shelter we would support it on aesthetic grounds alone, but it also has merits as a worthy war memorial. Those who are supporting the proposal should not be censured for delay in the matter, for they stated quite clearly when the City Council refused to grant a site in Cathedral Square, that they would await the election of a new council and then renew the request. They have hinted pretty broadly that if a. column is to be erected it should he erected in Cathedral Square or not at- all, and in this we think they are right. The outgoing Council showed itself quite unfitted to deal worthily with a. question of the sort when it actually decided to go on with the erection of a “ comfort station ” for women and children on the grass plot in the centre of the Square. This proposal was rescinded partly because of the legal objection that the grass plot could not be so used. The same objection may be raised in the present case, but at all events we have more confidence in the present councillors than in their predecessors to come to a proper decision on the matter. We have pointed out before that Cathedral Square is not a natural or convenient stopping place for trams, and that to reach the “ safety zone ” it is neeessary to run the gauntlet in a veritable sea of danger zones. The erection of a memorial column would be a step towards the beautifying of Cathedral Square.