KARORI'S PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 232, 28 June 1935, Page 2

KARORI'S PROBLEMS

Progress Association’s Annual Meeting TRAM ACCESS AND BATHS Problems connected with the welfare of the district were considered by the Karori Progressive Association, which held its lath annual meeting in the old council chambers last night. The president, Mr. 11. L. P. Dyett, presided over an attendance of about 50, which included Messrs. R. A. Wright, M.P., P. M. Butler and J. Burns, members of the City Council. In moving the adoption of the report a summary of which has already been published, Mr. Dyett said it was gratifying to observe the manner in which residents were co-operating with the City Council in beautifying the district It was also pleasng to record that building was going on steadily—a tribute to the popularity of Karori as a residential locality. Karorj’s principal need was improved access, travelling time being 14 minutes a day more than should be necessary. After detailing the history of the movement for rerouting the tram service to the western suburbs, Mr. Dyett said that question would doubtless be dealt with when the House of Representatives met later in the year. Whether Karori would gain what was sought depended on the vigour of its plea to Parliament. The association had done all it could, and now asked residents to back it up. The baths question was also an important one to tbe district. Tbe children were under a hardship last summer for lack of swimming facilities. The association was grateful to the City Council and the city engineer for expediting the provision of the new auxiliary sewer from Campbell Street to Karori Park. This had been an urgent necessity. Mr. Dyett referred with pleasure to the efforts of Cr. Butler to Improve the condition of the city’s unemployed by his initiation of the recent debate in the council. The Chaytor Street tip had been the subject of representations to the city engineer, he said. The tip had beeonie a menace on account of the rat pest. The engineer had decided to cover the tip with earth. The rats would burrow their way out and would be destroyed. However, the association must be on guard lest the -vermin were driven into another tip. The council officers were watching the position with a view to stamping out the rat menace. Reply to Criticism. Touching ou recently-published criticism of certain passages in the report, Mr. Dyett pointed out that it was impossible to provide full amenities for a growing district without recourse to loans. There was no desire to raise a contention as to how the revenue should be secured in a city such as Wellington, but the association was entitled to express its views. Karori did not want to grow up in a dog-in-the-manger spirit, but wished In every way to be a part of the city. The report and statement of accounts were adopted. In reply to a question, the president said the question of trolley buse§ had been represented to Mr. M. Cable, general manager of the tramways department, w|iq voiced strong opposition to ■ sueh a scheme on account of the large 'amount of capital invested in the trams. A new resident of Karori described the train access as intolerable. He suggested “an onslaught on Parliament” by n big deputation of residents. Another member appealed to residents to back up and join the association, which was performing valuable work for the suburb, Cr. Burns, after congratulating the association on the excellence of its report, briefly referred to the Karori .baths scheme. The Reserves Committee, which met on Monday, had brought down a most comprehensive proposal concerning baths and beach facilities. All he could say pending the meeting of tbe finance committee on Monday, was that he believed that Karori would not be disappointed with the recommendations that would then be brought down. Cr. Butler commended Karori on the fine civic spirit disclosed in the report. Referring to No. 5 scheme, he said he felt sure be was speaking for the majority of the citizens when he expressed the opinion that the scheme had outlived its usefulness. He hoped the council would not reverse its recent decision. The Campbell Street-Karori Park auxiliary sewer was an example of higlily-eflieient work done with standard rates. He went ou to suggest that the association might profitably invite corporation officers to attend for the purpose of explaining technical problems confronting vtirlous aspects of civic development. The council had a body of officers equal in status to the best anywhere, and they would be only too willing to give tbe associations the benefit of their specialised knowledge. Cr. Wright added his congratulations on the fine report brought down. On the access question, he said that the position was now before the A to L petitions committee. The objection did not come from members of Parliament, hut (he would say it with deference) from the Speakers of both Houses, who feared the effect of the noise of the trams on the business of ParliamentHe was hopeful, however, of a favourable recommendation, by tbe committee to Parliament. The following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That this annual meeting of the Karori Progressive Association, representing the whole of the residents of Karori, deeply resents the fact that the Government has failed to sm V tlon the laying of the train lines through Syflney Street, thereby greatly impeding the progress of the western districts of Wellington and causing great and continual inconvenience to the residents, and requests its executive to make further strong representations to Parliament for such sanction with a view to alleviating the present intolerable situation.” Officers Elected. Tbe election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. 11. L- P. Dyett; vicepresidents, Messrs. W. Slmrn, B. G. H. Burn, C. S. Plank, 11. S. B. Fletcher. G. Capes. W. H. Gibson. A. F. Wiren. G, 11. Scott. J. W. Henderson; committee. Messrs. M. W. E. Shore G. S. Amos, 11. Hill. M. Burnett, Rev. L. Hunt. J. L. Stewart, H. J. King. J. Hanna, B. R. Webster; hon. secretary, Mr. 11. B. Shephordson; hou. auditor. Mr. R. M. Sunley.