“SAVE THE SQUARE’

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 8

“SAVE THE SQUARE’

CHRISTCHURCH CONTROVERSY QUESTION FOR SUPREME COURT < f Ter Press Association, j CHRISTCHURCH, April 16. The long wrangle between the Christchurch City Council and a group uf citizens styling themselves “ ibe Save the Square” committee, has been before Mr .lustice Herdman at the Supreme Court for determination during the past two days. In the Square at present is a wooden trainway shelter. admittedly unsightlx. The Council proposed months ago to remove this shelter and replace it with a permanent structure oi much better design, with lavatories. It is the por-j manence of the proposed now building that has agitated the “Save the Square” committee into opposition. It had always been felt that the existing building was temporary and might one day be removed. They there ton* resisted the erection of a building in brick and concrete. The Labour Council refrain from determination of the matter by a poll of ratepavers. First they appealed to the Public' Health Board to declare the lavatories in the square a necessary work, and to empower the Council to proceed with it without, a roll of ratepavers. This, the Public Health Board refused to do. The Council then proceeded by transferring a surplus from the electricity account of about £6.B(H) to build lavatories, the Tramway Board paying a share of the cost, of the shelter. Against, this action the “Save tho Square” committee 'proceeded by applying to the Supreme Court for tho injunction necessary. The committee asks for much more than the prohibition of the Council in its new proposal. They have cited original Provincial ordinances and later special Acts of legislature dedicating the Square as a reserve to be held in trust by the City Council, in an endeavour to show that n’t the buildings are their illegally, ami that they ought to be removed. The main part of the Council’s defence seems to be that the area cover- I ed by the present and proposed build- i ings has become a street by usage, Mr Justice Herdman reserved his judgment. If the motion for the injunction succeeds it will involve considerable alterations in the tramway system, as n will be practically impossible to use the Square as a central tramways station for the arrival and departure or cars. Already the question is being put forward as an issue at the municipal elections.