A MODEL SUBURB.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 55, 6 March 1911, Page 6

A MODEL SUBURB.

WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH ORAKEI.

PBOPOSED (PURCHASE BY TBE

The suggestion made iby Mr iA. M. Myers, M.P., at the Towns Planning Conference last week in regard to the acquisition of Orakei by the Auckland City Council ior the purpose of establishing a model suburb ie approved 'by Mr C. J. Parr, who has consented to contest the City Mayoralty at the forthcoming election- Interviewed by a "Star" representative this morning, Mr Parr stated that Mr Mjrere deserved the thanks oi the community of the idea. There was (much to be said in favour of the project, and it "would foe a thousand pities to let Orakei fall into the hands of the private speculator, who would naturally cat it up so as to get the last shilling out of the deal.

"Orakei lies at the very gateway of the city," pointed out Mr Parr. "(Every visitor who cornea liere toy sea will get his impressions of the future Auckland from the appearance of the Orakei suiburb. We must see to it that such an excellent site is not spoilt. It could easily be made the most beautiful and attractive suburb of Auckland. With a wide roadway or boulevard and the ocean .front planted iwdth suitable trees, with a park taking in the ifine beach, and with irtde avenues or streets sweeping through the seven or eight hundred acres that composes the Wock, it might indeed bo easily transformed into a model or garden suburb."

As a business proposition Mr Parr considers it would pay the city to purchase the iblock, to road it, lay it out, and let the sections on long leases, with provision for compensation at the end of the term. Strict supervision would need to be exercised over the ibufldxng operations, so as to get, if possible, a model suburb on the lines of the garden city which was catching on in England. He recognised that a fair price would have to Ibe palid the Native owners for the land, and he suggested that payment take the form of corporation stocks or bonds, which could be held by the PubHc Trustee for the benefit of the Natives. By a good ferry service the sirbtrfb would only be a quarter of an hour from Queen-street, and when Hcibson Park and the Parnell esplanade were realities a tram service would reach Orakei in about the same time.

"I see no reason from the financial point of view to doubt success," continued Mr Parr. "I believe the investment could be made reproductive almost from the start and who shall say what a magnificent endowment the city will have in 50 years' time through the increase of value? Already syndicates are buying land almost adjoining, and some early action will he necessary if we are to save Orakei from the hands of the speculator and jerry-builder."

The Mayor, Mr 3j. J. Baernall, intends to move at the City Counrfl meeting on Thursday night to have the matter referred to the Finance Committee for investigation and report.