CHANGING STRAND

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 5

CHANGING STRAND

NEW VISTA TO BE OPENED

LONDON September 4, A new vista from the Strand will be opened by the extensive changes involved in the rebuilding of the triangular site at Charing Cross. This island site, upon which now stand the Union of South Africa buildings, tbe Golden Cross Hotel, and other properties, .is. to have its southern frontage, straightened out so that the Nelson monument in Trafalgar Square will be visible from the'Strand for a stretch of about half a mile. The expiration of the Crown leases has made the improvement of, this important site possible, and-the . new buildings to he erected as soon as the existing tenants move, will vastly improve this dingy corner of Trafalgar Square and the Strand,

Next week the staff of the South African offices will be transferred to temporary quarters, and other tenants will follow very soon; and in view of these structural changes, H.M. Office of Works is being urged to tackle the improvement of Trafalgar Square itself. There is no doubt that the dreary Square would be greatly improved by patches of turf, and flowers, and it is hoped to transform it into n nleasant resort where a band would play. The first ' Commissioner of Works is considering what can he done, and has received promises of den at ions for the purposes.

The disappearance of the old buildings on tlie island site will obliterate some literary associations. The Golden Cross Hotel was known to Dickens, and there is a shop in the block to which Caryle used to go for his hoots and shoos. It was from the Golden Cross or it immediate predecessor that Mr Pickwick is supposed to have started off on liis coaching adventures.