WADESTOWN AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 12

WADESTOWN AFFAIRS

MEETING OF PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION The annual meeting of the Wadestown and Highland Park Progressive Association was held in the Parish Hall, Wadestown, last night, Mr. A. Stace presiding over a very encouraging attendance. “During the year, as a result of continuous efforts on the part of this and former committees,” said the chairman in presenting the annual report, “the work of widening and improving the main road from Park Street has. been undertaken. Former committees had consistently urged the improvement also of the main road between the tram terminus and Lytton Street. This stretch of road Was positively dangerous to school children, by whom it was so frequently used. The efforts of the association have at last borne fruit, and the City Council has now commenced the work of widening and improving this street and providing a footpath. Further progress has been made with the new through road to Northland. “The necessity for improvements in the tram service has claimed a large share of the attention of the committee,” continued Mr. Stace. “The council has advised that it hopes to be able to duplicate the track from Park Street to Newman Terrace ■■'during the present year. With regard to the duplication to Grosvenor Terrace the council stated that in view of the heavy excavation work involved, there was little prospect of this being undertaken in the near future. However, the work of widening this portion of the road has since been put in hand. As a result of representations made by the committee, a more frequent tram service has been instituted in the rush hours, and the tramways department has promised to run during the summer months an early tram on Sunday mornings for the benefit of those desiring to catch boats or trains leaving the city.

“The committee this year • decided to affiliate with the Civic League. Although this action was opposed by some, the majority of the committee is of the opinion that it is desirable in the interests of the district.” Review by Councillor H. A. Wright. Councillor R. A. Wright, M.P., chairman of the Works Committee of the City Council, addressed the meeting. The Mayor and councillors had a very thankless job in Wellington, hg said, but nevertheless they had effected a great many improvements. A great many more needed. doing, and they were not expected to raise the rates. Wadestown was a very difficult district. With its hills and roads, it svouid be very expensive to make alternations now. He referred to the present tramway prehlems. They had the bus competition, and that necessitated the running of municipal buses at a huge loss, which had to be carried by the tramway department. If that loss svere not being made, there would be either of two things, greater profit or reduced fares, the latter of which were long overdue. They had the suggestion that the council should scrap the whole system aud run buses only. Then the interest in -the sinking fund and capital would have to be borne by the ratepayers. Mr. Wright discussed the milk and reserves departments. Regarding money expended in Wadestown, Mr. Wright said that there had been more spent there during the last two years than during the previous twenty years. In all, £26,000 had been expended. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Wright for his address. Election of Officers. The following were elected for the ensuing season : —Patron, Mr. A. Fair, K. : president, Mr. A. R. Stone; vicepresidents, Messrs. G. Carwell-Cook, E. Wylie, E. J. Wiffien, W. Ellis, A, Parlane, M. Dennehy, W. P. Maule, F. J. Haise, M. M. Simpson, L. G. Nathan; hon. secretary. Mr. H. McCormick: hon. treasurer. Mr. E. Rhodes;\committee. Messrs. H. S. Pillar, F. T. Clere, V. McKewen, L. H. Herd. E. Cotterill.