CLEAN, WHITE LINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 103, 3 May 1935, Page 3

CLEAN, WHITE LINE.

BEACH IMPROVEMENTS,

MR. DAVIS AT ST. HKLIER'S,

In furtherance of his campaign for the Auckland mayoralty, Mr. Ernest Davis, the Citizens' Committee candidate, addressed a meeting of 300 people at St. Helier's Bay last night. Mr. M. <i. McArtliur presided, and the City Council candidates who spoke in support of the policy of Mi. Davis were: Miss E. Melville, Miss A. Basten and Messrs. M. J. Bennett, D. Henry, J. W. Kealy, B. Kingston, J. li. raterson and S. Takle. A vote of confidence in Mr. Davis and the otliei nominees was carried unanimously.

Dealing with subjects not covered in his earlier addresses, the mayoral candidate envisaged a clean white line of beaches from Point Chevalier to St. Helier's Bay. He pointed out that any scheme of beach improvements necessarily would embrace the entire foreshore. The beaches were among the greatest of the city's assets.

In connection with the Ornkei native yilage settlement, Mr. Davis, after tracing the history of the dispute, said the deadlock would not be broken while the Lands Department adhered to its attitude of opposition to the return of any portion of the lands to the Maoris as part of the proposed improvement scheme. "Auckland," said Mr. Davis, "has become the Mecca for a large number of overseas tourists, who have not the opportunity to gain an accurate impression of the mode of living and traditions of the Maori race. The establishment of a model Maori village at Orakei should replace the existing eyesore. It would serve a threefold purpose: It would assist the natives in maintaining their traditions, it would be a source of intense interest to overseas visitors, and be an adornment to the waterfront road. I am not in favour of the matter dragging along indefinitely, and I will press for an early development." Trees for Tamaki Drive. The candidate referred to the possibility of improving the Tamaki Drive b,y the planting of ornamental trees, raised in the municipal nursery, and predicted that in view of the present reservoir and main-laying developments the water supply difficulty experienced at Tamaki last year would be overcome. By their merger with the city, Tamaki, Avondalc and Point Chevalier had benefited greatly. Incidentally, the amount jeceiv'ed in' rates from these districts was not sufficient to cover the interest on their loan indebtedness.

Replying to questions, Mr. Davis said he was impressed with the necessity for adequate bus shelter sheds, and he thought the question of providing _ a cycle track on the Tamaki Drive deserved examination.