SCENIC DRIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 145, 21 June 1935, Page 14

SCENIC DRIVE.

THE WAITAKERES. MR. I.J. GOLDSTINE'S SCHEME. ESTIMATED COST, £63,200. The forming of a scenic drive extending for 2G miles 32 chains from New Lynn, through Cascade Park, Kauri Park, through Swanson, and back to Xew Lynn, was a scheme placed before the members of the Auckland and Suburban Local Bodies' Association last evening at the annual meeting held in •the Chamber of Commerce The scheme jvas put forward by the president, Mr. I." J. Goldmine, Mayor of One Tree Hill and after some discussion a sub-com-mittee was appointed to make further investigations and furnish a report giving full details as to cost, the report to be submitted later to local bodice. In outlining his proposal Mr. Goldstine said his scheme would not only be for the relief of unemployment buv would be for the betterment of the city. "In the past there has been a great deal of talk about amalgamation with the city," said Mr. Goldstine, "and my scheme, although not a big one, will be an answer to the charge that has been made that suburban local bodies are trn parochial. If the scheme is sponsored by the local bodies it will rfiow we have the interests of the city nt .ieart. The proposal is practicable and would not c.-..?r a great deal to the individual local bed'es."

"Wonderful Asset to City." Mr. Goldstine eaid he had been in touch with the Public Works Department, and the estimated cost of the work was £63,200. On that amount the Unemployment Board's contribution would be £32,668, and'the £3 to £1 subsidy from the Public Works Department £22,899, leaving the local bodies to contribute £7633. "I want to make it quite clear that there has been no offer from the Unemployment Board or Public Works Department that they will contribute the amounts I have given, but . I have no doubt they would do so," he eaid. "Experts will tell you the drive would be one of the. most beautiful scenic drives in and around Auckland, and would be a wonderful asset to the city."

It was estimated that by 300 men the work csuld be completed in one year, by--240 men in 18 months, and 180 men in two years. He suggested that if the proposal were entertained the local bodies' contribution could be assessed on a population basis. The city would possibly have to contribute the biggest tihare, but the local bodies could also contribute and sponsor the work. That was merely a tentative suggestion, and some other method might be found for apportioning the cost. Each local body on the basis of its contribution would have a certain number of men employed, and the fact that these men would be taken out of their particular district would be a saving of the cost that otherwise would have to be borne. In addition to the men on the job, there would be" : men employed in crushing metal, carting, and other incidental work. To give an idea of what it would cost individual local bodies, Mr. Goldstine said on the basis he had worked out Newmarket would contribute £100. "You could take it at eightpence per head of population, spread over a period of 18 months," he said. The distance of the round trip from Xew Lynn to New Lynn was 20 miles 32 chains, and the present route comprised concrete six miles 50 chain, metal nine miles 17 chains, formed two miles 17 chains, and unformed eight miles 28 chains. More Details Wanted. Mr. J. Guiniven r : Mayor of Takapuna, expressed the opinion that the scheme wae too small to greatly relieve unemployment. It was more of a luxury than a utility work. He thought an extensive drainage scheme, or even the harbour bridge, a better proposal. It was no use launching a scheme to give employment to a couple pi hundred men when there were thousands out of work. Several speakers favoured the proposal, but considered more details should be given, It was decided that details be obtained and submitted to the various local bodies.