NEW INDUSTRIAL AREA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 130, 26 February 1925, Page 8

NEW INDUSTRIAL AREA

EVANS BAY RECLAMATION HARBOUR BOARD SCHEME EXPLAINED The- Harbour Board’s intentions regarding the Evans Bay reclamation were made known in the annual statement of the chairman (Mr. G. Mitchell) at the board meeting last night. “The board’s reclamation right at Evans Bay, which covers an area of 128 acres, will provide sites for certain classes of industries and warehouses,” said Mr. Mitchell, f'but while this area will have a deep sea frontage for the whole of its length it has no possible railway access. On. account of the proximity of this site to fine residential aieas, it is essential that it be restricted to industries which can be worked by electric power. It would be a serious offence against the city and its people to allow industries requiring big smoke stacks in such a locality, but it would be most suitable for warehouses and industries jvhich can be worked by electricity and require only road and water transport service. Development along these lines will mean a general increase in the value of all property in the neighbourhood. It follows that the principles of • town-plan-ning and beautification would be adopted in the lay-out of all reclaimed land.

“When this reclamation is proceeded with, provision should be made to preserve suitable bathing places for the people. This matter was evidently overlooked when the reclamation rights were granted, but I know that the health, pleasures, and general interest ot the tesidents will not be neglected by the board in regard to making adequate provision to protect their bathing places, and you will consider any reasonable proposal placed before you to this eud.

“Realising the limits of Evans Bay, and being most anxious to find a site for such works as these, which have been constantly advocated by country members of this board, it was necessary that a site for a general industrial area with access by sea, rail, and road should be found and set aside. As the land round the mouth of the Hutt River seemed the only available area with possible sea and rail access, I asked Mr. Marchbanks to take soundings from the mouth of the river to Howard Point; to ascertain if a suitable wharf site was available. I then fully discussed the matter with _ Mr. Strand, chairman of the Hutt River Board, to assure that this land could be secured and proclaimed an industrial area if a suitable wharf site could be found. Due to the whole-hearted support of Sir Francis Bell and the Hutt River Board a site of some 400 acres will be proclaimed an industrial area. Some 200 acres of the land is secured, and the balance will shortly be Government pioperty. The question of railway access met with ready, support from the officers concerned, with the result that railway service through the industrial area to the wharf site is assured. “The engineer’s report shows that two' sites are available, the one near Howard Point being in a more suitable locality and cheaper (estimated cost of wharf. £40,000) would undoubtedly be the one constructed when circumstances warrant it. The advantages’ of this site are: (1) All necessary wharf accommodation and facilities can be provided on the site. (2) that railways will link up the wharf and all the industrial area with the mam railway system. (3) Excellent reading connects the site with the city and surrounding districts. (4) It is away from private residences and will conform to the principles of town-plan-ning. (5) Practically unlimited areas of the choicest residential sites in proximity to the industrial area are now being planned and will be laid out on approved town-planning _ principles, and will be connected, with the city, the industrial area, bathing beaches, parks and playing fields, by road and rail, thus giving all the elements and conditions which make for modern residential areas in reasonable pioxnnitv to the industries necessary for the people to live. ’ •. ... “Thus future industries would be provided for by: The Evans Bay reclamation for certain industries,-which would be served by sea and road; the general industrial aiea at the mouth of the Hutt River served by sea, road and rail, with conditions which cannot be excelled anywhere in the Dominion. With these two areas secured and facilities provided, industrialists wlil be able to acquire the finest manufacturing sites in the best geographical, commercial, and distributing centre in the Dominion. “It is the dutv of our people to-day to provide for aiid encourage manufacturers now to make this fine centre the home of their industries, and also plan for future generations which will follow us. I wish to thank Sir Francis Bell, Mr. Strand, the officers' of the Public Works and Railway Departments, and all those who have interested themselvesin this matter, for their heartv co-operation and prompt action, and I trust that what, has been done will meet with the approval of members.” 1