National Dairy Show At Palmerston North

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 16

National Dairy Show At Palmerston North

A CITY WITH A FUTURE

Palmerston North Flourishes in Spite of Depression

MANY NEW BUSINESSES OPENED

Despite the recent years of depression, the city of Palmerston North has continued to flourish steadily, with its trade figures maintaining an ever-increasing upward movement, until to-day it holds the enviable position of being considered one of the most solid, prosperous and progressive cities in the Dominion. There is no reason to doubt that this progressive movement will continue in future years. Palmerston North withstood the brunt of the depression better than many other centres, mainly because of its solidarity. At this stage, it is most appropriate to recall such organisations as the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which has been in existence for fiftyone years, have been largely responsible for the remarkable growth of Palmerston North.

IT lias recently been stated that “the wisdom and foresight of those early pioneer settlers, who built

Palmerston. North on sane and progressive lines, with wide streets and thoroughfares, carefully-planned commercial and residential areas and in a geographical inland position which could hardly have been bettered, are now about to bear their full fruit,” and a moment’s reflection on the city’s expansion - confirms the truth of that statement.

The expansion of Palmerston North during the past 10 years, and particularly during the past 12 months, has been phenomenal. Within approximately a quarter of a mile radius of the Post Office, no fewer.-than 80 new businesses have been established during the past 12 or 18 months, but if all suburban areas were included in that review, the figure would more probably approximate 100. These figures, of course, include commercial concerns, which were previously operating in Palmerston North and which have now established new branches, as well as changes of ownership and the opening of retail shops by concerns whose previous operations were confined to wholesale trading. The influx of new business people has been fairly steady during this period, but intense activity was recorded during the last weeks of March and the early part of April of this year, during which period no fewer than'lo new businesses were opened. More Evidence of Expansion. Direct evidence of Palmerston North’s great expansion during the 12 months ended March 31 last is given by comparing the building returns as compiled by the Palmerston North City Council with previous years. The total value of the permits issued in that period was nearly 100 per cent, greater than for the previous year and well over 100 per cent, greater than for the three years previous to that. The sum of £167,452 was spent ou buildings within the city boundaries last year, and of this amount £84,405 was expended on the erection of 112 new houses, which was nearly 100 per cent, greater than tbe*flgure for the previous year, and up to 110 per cent, greater than the figures for the three previous years. This in itself conveys some idea of the progressiveness of the city, but does not fully expose the true position, for, despite this great activity, there remains an almost unbounded demand for houses and flats.

It is stated that houses are almost, impossible to obtain, and there is abolutely no doubt that file demand for homes by far exceeds the supply, although several enterprising speculators have not been slow in realising this, with the result that numerous houses and sovenil blocks of flats are in the course of erection within the city boundaries. So great is the demand and so keen the competition, that in some cases the houses are leased long before they are completed. No fewer than 1411 new houses were erected in the 10 years from 1926 until March 31 of this year, but even this enormous figure has not been sufficient to fill the needs of this ever-growing city. Directly resultant from the influx of

business people, the growing popularity of Palmerston North as a commercial centre is levying a very heavy tax on the accommodation in the business area, with an attendant hardening of rents and increases in the sale price of land and buildings in this vicinity. Practically every want of modern people is now well served in this city, but, nevertheless, business men continue to come into the town, and enterprising tradespeople, with a view to further enhancing the city’s popularity, are dismantling premises that have, been in existence for some years and replacing them with artistic and impressive edifices more in keeping witli the progressiveness of this inland centre. Several new structures have recently been completed, and others are under way, while quite a number of business people are now having plans prepared for new and imposing buildings.

The-, improved value of Palmerston Norib in 1926 was a little over £4,000,000, and the total value of building permits issued by the City Council since that date amounts to approximately £2,200,000, which is the equivalent of nearly 50 per cent, of the former improved value. This in itself conveys some idea of the city's progressiveness of late.

Residents of Palmerston North, wide awake to the advantages conferred upon them by the geographical situation of the city, have built for the future as well as for the present. Furthermore, every effort is made to encourage outside secondary industries to become established in the city, with a view to making Palmerston North as nearly self-supporting as any town can possibly be. Already flour-mills, knittingmills. cement and pipe works, brickworks, box-manufacturing works and bacon-curing factories, to enumerate only a few. are among the thriving secondary industries operating in this centre.

City’s Increasing Recognition. Being surrounded by some of the most fertile and productive country in the Dominion, Palmerston North is well supplied with raw materials with which to carry on and improve these secondary industries, with the result that its growing importance is becoming increasingly recognised. This is also borne out by the number of organisations whieli have their beadquarters in the city and by the fact that Palmerston North has been described as ‘‘the conference city of the future.”

Figures announced- as a result of the recent census disclose that within a radius of 10 miles of the Palmerston North Post Office there are some 35,000 people, while within 30 miles the total is approximately 75,000. Adding another 20 miles to that radius brings the total number to somewhere about 150.000, while if that radius is doubled the population within the soformed circle approximates 420,000 persons, which means that almost onequarter of the population of New Zealand resides within a 100-mile radius of Palmerston North. Not only that, but approximately one half of the Dominion's people live north of Palmerston North and one half south of the city. Surely this is convincing evidence of the marvellous geographical position of Palmerston North! Fine Geographical Position.

Palmerston North has well been described as "the shopping - and business centre of the marvellous Manawatu and the great distributing centre of the North Island.” Six railways radiate from it, making it. the largest railway junction in New Zealand, and all main highways converge upon this city. It has been prophesied that, before long Palmerston North will be the largest commercial airport in the Dominion, and present indications point to that prophecy being fulfilled. No other city in New Zealand has

' the great, buying public so well situated, and in it's growth to greatness only something at present, unforeseen can stop the progress of Palmerston North. The city owes much of its expansion to the common inlerest held by its residents, that of the advancement of their town in every direction; and also to the spirit of dogged determination to see that a name is made for Palmerston North that, will for ever remain emblazoned in the history of New Zealand. It is that spirit of determination and community pride that have enabled Palmerston North to ride complacently through the recent slump years, and Ihose same factors will now propel it on to a higher goal.

The city of Palmerston North can look forward with every degree of confidence to a bright future in which its already wide sphere of influence on private and commercial progress of the Dominion will be still further developed.