PROGRESSIVE NEWMARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1926, Page 8

PROGRESSIVE NEWMARKET.

PAST ACTIVITY, FUTURE PROSPECTS. IMPROVEMENT OF EOADS. As has been the ease with all other boroughs in Auckland, Newmarket is another centre that has made rapid strides in the last eleven years, and which, lias undoubted prospects of further extensive increases in the years to come. An indication of the progress registered in this borough is gained when it is pointed out that since 1921 three miles of reading has been concreted, making a total of 3ti,000 square yards concreted with a further 10.000 square yards to be completed this year. The borough's own valuation live years ago was £42,000 and to-day it stands at £70,000.

During the past year, a re-valuation of the borough was made by the Government. The previous valuation was made in 1914, and the present assessment is greatly in excess of that recorded at that time. The increase is approximately 100 per cent, the total valuation of the borough now standing at £1,420,000. The council does not use this valuation for the purpose of rating properties, and the only effect it will have on the finances will be to increase the levies made by such bodies as the Hospital and Drainage Boards.

A great deal of attention has been devoted to roads in the borough during the past year. The council has completed the paving of Khyber Pass and Park Road, 6723 square yards of concrete having been laid in connection with that work. The work of constructing the approaches to the proposed railway overbridge in Victoria Crescent is to be commenced immediately. It is proposed to pave the approaches with concrete, while Victoria Crescent and Short Street will be similarly treated. The council intends to continue its policy of rounding off corners where deemed necessary, and the corner of Khyber Pass and Carlton Gore Road, and Khyber Pass and C'hiremont Street will probably be dealt with this year. The council has also been authorised to purchase a motor street sweeper-cleansing machine.

The building activity lias been ■well maintained, and for last year a total of So permits were issued at an estimated value of £30,854. The permits included four dwellings of a total value of £3654, and six shops and dwellings of a total value of £9931.

During the year a library containing a lending department and a reading room was established, and the support accorded this new departure from the commencement has been most gratifying. It is proposed to extend the facilities and add to the number and class of book in such a manner that the library should soon be a valuable asset to the borough.

An area comprising approximately 2i acres of land valued at about £16,000 was bequeathed to the borough, by the late Miss Outhwaite for the purpose of making a park. The property in question occupies an excellent position at the corner of Carlton Gore and Park Roads, and is ideal for the purpose intended. The council will shortly oe formulating proposals for the improvement of the ground.

A feature of the work of the council during the past year has been the construction of rockeries. The slope at the town end of Mangawhau Road has been converted from a waste piece of land to one of attractive lay-out. Seccombe's Road has also been improved. The improvements to the street li"-ht-ing have also played a big part council's schemes. The installation of electric street lighting has been practically completed by the Auckland Power Board. It is generally admitted that the type of light in Broadway and Khyber Pass is superior to anything vet installed in Auckland. ' °