THE TWO CITIES

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 88, 10 January 1923, Page 9

THE TWO CITIES

WHERE AUCKLAND GAINS IMPROVED CITY THOROUGHFARES Where Auckland gams ill its system of roads, Wellington gains in its tramway facilities; such is the ’mding of the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. R A. Wright, M.P.) after his visit to tho northern city for the holidays. Mr. Wright’s preference for Hie Weilington trams, by comparison, may be summed up tersely: the oars are cleaner, the conductors more, cjvil, the ‘' rav 7 elling public get more attention, and there is an increase in efficiency . Auckland was, however, showing a capable 'lead to the capital city_ m Rs fino permanent roads. Chief among these was jAnzao Avenue, which was a very stately thoroughfare, built oi concrete. While the engineer of the Wellington city corporation was abroad? he brought hijnself thoroughly Up-to-date in the methods adopted in American cities in concrete and bituminous roading and paving, and experiments have been made since Ins return. It was a question, however, whether the concrete road was as suitable to this city, in the same measure ns to Auckland, although the tarred macadam process, which has been followed here, has not been altogether satisfactory. Wellington must do more in the matter of laying down permanent surfaces on its city roads, on the dual point of economy in ultimate cost and modern efliciencv. Auckland’s streets were, he said yesterday, kept clean, and are a credit to the citv; citizens were encouraged to utilise the garbage receptacles distributed along the princinal city thoroughfares. In this direction, ho foreRaw an advantage to Wellington if the principle were extended. Mr. Wright paid a high compliment to the civic pride and patriotism of the citizens of Auckland, vdiicfi found expression in so many gifts to the city, such as children’s playgrounds anti recreation reserves. —-