SYDNEY’S PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 119, 17 February 1928, Page 9

SYDNEY’S PROGRESS

DEALING WITH THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM GREAT FUTURE OF NORTH SYDNEY TARONGA PARK FINEST “ZOO” IN WORLD Visiting Wellington yesterday was Colonel A. Spain, a leading architect of Sydney, Chairman of the TownPlanning Board, a director of Sydney Ferries, Ltd., vice-Cbairman of the Sydney Regatta Committee, and a member of the Taronga Park Trust. Colonel Spain claims a connection with New Zealand, as his grandfather, Air. William Spain, a barrister, of London, was commissioned by Lord Palmerston to come to New Zealand in 184‘2, and settle some disputes between the Alaoris and the white settlers. 0.11 the voyage out Mr. Spain, with his wife and family, were wrecked at Cave Colony, and on communicating his dilemma" to Lord Palmerston, was instructed to charter another vessel and carry on, which he did. He remained in New Zealand for some two nnd a half years, after which he left for Sydney, where he settled. Sydney’s Planning Problems. Colonel Spain stated that the Town Planning Board of Sydney, consisted of some twenty members elected at an annual meeting of the citizens, and their duty was to act in an advisory capacity, when there were any street alterations contemplated, or any new lands, parks, or reserves to lay out. Of course the overwhelming question in Sydney at present was the traffic problem, and how to solve it, and governing that to a very large extent were the changes pending on completion of the new bridge to the North Shore—the biggest briiTge in the. world, rind probably one that was destined to make the greatest change in a city. It was already apparent that . the completion of the bridge would witness a wonderful change in North Sydney, us the values of property on that side of the water were already showing marked increases. Then it was going to make a great alteration to the rural lands beyond North Sydney, as the journey "to the heights above the Hawkesbury River was going to be cut down from 90* to 35 minutes (motor travelling). Another big thing was the improvements that were being made to the Great North Road which was almost completed from Newcastle to the Hawkesbury, and was being picked up on the Sydney side of the river—a road that was going to give great relief to the old Parramatta Road. A Busy Body.

In Sydney and its suburbs the board ■ —a voluntary organisation—was kept very busy giving advice and ideas in connection with new and existing parks and playgrounds; in laying out new park and ■ residential areas, in the rounding-off of corners and in preserving vistas, and in seeing that the aesthetic view was always preserved where practicable. That the work of the board was appreciated was borne out by the heavy demands made upon the time and the brains of its members. Every local body in and around Sydney brought their problems before the board, and these were so excessive that it was becoming very difficult to cope with them all. However, they did their best, and he thought the aggregate effect would be appreciated by posterity. Recently the various borough councils had set up a Betterment Board, whose duties were also to assist the various local bodies in their developmental stages. This board was doing good work, and would do better with experience. There was no special betterment rating in connection with improvements made under the advice of that board, other than the rates collected through the increased values of properties affected. A Big Idea. One of the ideas the Town-planning Board had had in mind for some years, continued Colonel Spain, was to make a new arterial way through the very heart of the business area of Sydney, bv extending Martin Place north and south. Alartin Place (which the G.P.O. faces) could be extended the one way through Elizabeth and Alacquarie Streets, the Sydney Domain, and on to Woolloomooloo Bay, where most of the big mailboats now berth; and to Wynyard Square on the other, this bringing Darlinghurst and South Sydney into direct access with the new bridge and North Sydney, instead of having, as at present, to pursue a course through the shopping centre by way of King and Market Streets. " The cost, he said, would run into millions, but 'there were many who believed that such an improvement would be worth the money. A “Zoo” That Pays. It is now over a decade since the Sydney Zoo was removed from the Randwick Road to Taronga Park (overlooking the harbour). Colonel Spain is one of the seven trustees and vice-chairman of this splendid zoological park, which in lay-out and area exceeds that of any other Zoo in the world. “We are verv proud of Taronga Park,” said Colonel Spain, ‘‘not only because of its size and beautiful site, but because it is the only Zoo in the world that is self-supporting. It is a very fine zoological park, and .a great picnic ground in one, and is thoroughly appreciated bv the people of Sydney as well as visitors. We have had as many as 30,000 visitors on the one day (during the visit of the Duke of York), and the attendance on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are verv large. We were naturally gratified when Dr. Hornaday, governor of the Bronx Park Zoo, New York, said that he could teach us nothing in the lay-out of a Zoo. “We opened a new aquarium in October last—twice the area of the famous one in Honolulu—and we are now adding a wing for tropical fish only. When I tell vou that the aquarium will accommodate 3000 people at one time you will be able to estimate its dimensions.” “A Good Job.” Colonel Spain, who is one of Sydney’s leading architects, and drew the plans for the new "Evening News” office, mentioned that he had been given the opportunity of inspecting The Dominion’s new offices in Wakefield Street, and so pleased was he with the general lay-out of shops, offices, staff rooms, and the machinery departments, and also the lighting of the building that lie had to congratulate Messrs. Crichton and Houghton on a first-class job, and The Dominion people on the possession of a remarkably fine building.