SYDNEY CATHEDRAL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 4

SYDNEY CATHEDRAL

I >ROPOSICO REM()VAL. SYDNEY, May 1-J. The Anglican community of Sydney, c New South' Willies in fact, has been . inut:li exorcised during the past two or ’’ tlii-oe moil Mis by the knowledge Mint ‘t the site of its present cathedral; St. . Andrew’s, will he encroached upon shortly by the new city underground ( | railway, now being constructed. 'I lie present* site of the cathedral is in the ( j centre of the city, in George Street i adjoining tihe Town Hall. There is to lie an underground station at the Town , Hall, and the site of St. Andrew’s is needed for this. The news that the Government would resume the cathedral rime as a. bombshell, but the blow was lessened when it became known r that the Government would provide a “ new site and £500,000 to boot. 'I lie 0 matter fins come before an emergency (. session of the Anglican Synod, and e this decided that the cathedral should k be moved to a site in Macquarie street, j. next to the Sydney Hospital and not „ far from the Parliament House. This j site is at present occupied by the Royal , Mint, which was closed down a few * months ago, and some court buildings, erected during Governor Macquarie's ret gillie over a century ago. The Hand , ol progress has no veneration for Syd- , ney’s .historic buildings. * TIES OF SENTIMENT. Archbishop Wright, in his address to Synod, admitted that the problem was ano of the most difficult and complicated with, which be bad been' confronted. Their beautiful cathedral was oil a public and central site, endeared to them; by. many ties of .sent! incut. 'Hie , achiteetural beauty of the building was a fact, although the cathedral v. as not all that he could have wished, if funds had permitted. Without doubt, it was too small for a great city. Any suitable enlargement would involve a great outlay of money, and if was tempting |o have within their grasp the huge initial sum offered by the Government for the present site. But kis a. , counter suggestion, it, would not lie wise to accept money as the nucleus of a now cathedral unless they wore convinced that the site on which the cathedral would he erected would he worthy of it. “We are engaged,” he concluded, “on a solemn- and responsible task, not merely for ourselves, but for the generations that come after.” THE MTXT SITE. As suggested by the Archbishop, the Synod discussed the matter, without, in the Primate's words, “importing heat or prejudice into the argument,” True, enthusiasm for the different sites ran high at various times, as the merits of the sites were propounded, but eventually one site was chosen with the requisite clear majority. There was one stalwart for the retention of the present site upon financial, as well as sentimental, religions, and other grounds. That was Archdeacon Boyce, a well-known veteran of Anglicanism here. He pleaded, for what ho termed la sacred spot. “Some people,” he added, “would like to see the Anglican > Church shoved off into some out of the way part. I hope that we shall stand our ground in this central part of the city.”. But his eloquence was i in vain, and more youthful members. | symbols of those days of change, had j their way. The Mint-Courts site was i favoured before a dozen other sites, (

and it was decided to negotiate with the Government for this: Whether the Government will accede to the Anglican Synod’s desire is problematical. The Premier (Mr Lang) is at present holidaying in Queensland, and as all previous negotiations have been carried out with him, tile matter will remain in abeyance until his return to Sydney. It is believed that he will need some persuasion to hand over tlie chosen site, as lie is known to favour at least two other sites, but probably-, in view of the very special circumstances surrounding the matter, the wishes of. the Synod will he met.