PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 23382, 27 September 1939, Page 11

PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The council is to be commended upon its decision to shift the much dangerous and uninspiring structure the band rotunda. To-day it is a dangerous menace to motor traffic, and, hot being in a central position, causes confusion to sis approaches and exits, and is to visiting motorists a nightmare and to police officers a continual nuisance and apparition. The removal of the rotunda would enable the council, • in co-operation with the Otago Automobile Association, to have erected some suitable style of silent policeman. Another very dangerous aspect is the fact that pedestrians who congregate round this structure in the majority of cases stand without the danger zone—quite an unconscious action, but still it is not free from the disabilities confronting both motorists and pedestrians in the exercise of care to avoid accidents. i I trust the council will give immediate effect to its recent decision, as about seven years ago, when Mr J. Watson was mayor, a motion which has never been rescinded was passed to demolish, remove, and re-erect and enlarge same. The sites suggested were at the hew recreation ground on the corner opposite the bowling green, or on the elevated embankment in Wickliffe Terrace, where new garages are at present being erected; but, like the motion, it still stands inactive. The reason for enlarging the rotunda was because it would not accommodate a full-sized band. There is one clause in the council’s report which will provoke public dis- • approval. Once things are demolished and stowed away by a local body they usually become old junk, and in the end are generally used to finish odd jobs from time to time. The band rotunda in its time was erected as a specific memorial; it also includes another memorial, both being dear to the hearts of the few still surviving old identities, together with their offspring. Any attempt by any local body to place away such memorials with the risk of their being eventually forgotten would not be tolerated by the public, and especially the South African veterans and the Returned Soldiers’ Associations, which bodies are already alive to' the position. I trust our council will do *the right thing and at a very early date, as both the memorial and the improved and enlarged band rotunda in the vicinity of the new recreation ground are essential to the progress of the town. It might also expedite the laying out of the new recreation ground to give greater facilities for the platform of our Physical Welfare Committee by encouraging not two or three, but all classes of sports for male -and female. Would it not be interesting and picturesque on a fine Sunday afternoon for our residents, together with visitors, to walk round Wickliffe Terrace and inspect our beautifully la id-off new recreation reserve, terraced and laid-oiit embankments, together with the new enlarged band rotunda containing the present cherished memorials, with our local brass and harmonica bands discoursing attractive music? It could be a centennial mark of progress.—l am, etc., Thos. Anderson. September 26.