RECORD OF ADVANCEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 305, 21 December 1912, Page 5

RECORD OF ADVANCEMENT.

ONEHUXGA FORGIXG AHEAD.

The bort-ugh of Onehunga has made considerable advance during the year which is just closing. In giving particulars to a "•Star" reporter to-day, the Town Clerk, Mr. H. A. Yoekney, remarked that owinp to the lowness of the rate*, thr residents of One-tree Hill were petitioning the Govemient to bs allowed to cooic into the borouah of Oni'huiigs. Tbe Mayor, Mr. J. Rowe, who is completing his seventh term of office, and who was present at the. interview, said that " Considering the firstclass system of drainage and water supply prevailing in Onehunga, the general rate (1/11 in the £) is the lowest in New Zealand."

I Mr. Yoekney. continuing, said that I during the past year a big drainage. j scheme, absorbing £42,500, had been put through, and the whole district, from Alfred Street to the western boundary. j had been completely sewered. The I water supply, largely* owing to the success of the pumping plant, was not only adequate for the borough's own needs, hut has enahled the Council to supply Ellerslie. the abattoirs, and part of Onetree HilL Discussing the borough finances, Mr. Yoekney stated that provision had been made for the repayment of the loan moneys in thirty-six and ahalf years by means of a sinking fund. House erection is proceeding apace, one hundred having been added to the borough during tbe period under review. "There is plenty of land available at from £2 to £2 io/ a foot." said Mr. Yoekney, '-and the land is handy to the trams." The Carnegie library has just been completed, and is we.}] stocked with books and periodicals. The cost was £2.700. and its use is free to all resi--1 dents in the borough. The Coronation Hall (cost £300) has likewise been recently completed, and has become the headquarters of the local St. John Ambulance Association. Other important additions to the borough recently completed are the Foresters' Hall.'which cost £2,onn, and has accommodation for SOO people, a Church of Christ edinVe. and n. large boot factory, costing £2,000. A ferro-concrete bridge of either 30ft. or 50ft. in width, is to be constructed between Onehunga, and Man«»ere- The cost will be aboui £20,000,'0f which 25 per cent lias been allocated to Onehunga. Here Mr. Rowe explained that in ail probability the Auckland Harbour Board would take over the control of the Manukau Harbour in the near future. "■ This will mean considerable improvement in the wharves and general accommodutiou for shipping," said Mr. Rowe. "' I see no reason why vessels of the Ma.heno type should not "berth at Ouehunga, and so save 12 hours between Sydney and Auckland. It is really only a matter of dredging for Or.ehunsa t"> become a great port. " However, since thr wreck of the Orpheus, some forty years ago, there has been n prejudice against the harbour, and I think it time that this feeling was removed." Mr. Rowe concluded by remarking that it was hoped to provide a swimming bath for residents next year, and as he took the reporter to inspect the pumping plant, indicated a larger expanse of mud flat just beiijg covered by the rising tide which the Cotmcil hopes to reclaim in the near future.