THE GARDEN SUBURB

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 10

THE GARDEN SUBURB

LOWER HUTT PROBLEMS

COUNCILLORS' VISIT OE! 1 INSPECTION

| Data to assist the newly^-elected coun- ! cil at Lower Hutt to arrive at a policy in regard to the work to be carried out during the next two years were gathered on Saturday, when 1 the councillors made a thorough inspection of the borough. The tour was a revelation to the councillors, who were new to office, and who had not before' realised the large extent of the borough and the varied and difficult problems which will confront them at the council table. The- day was well chosen, as the weather made the problems of improved drainage and better roads and footpaths not only apparent, but felt, so much so, that a rigorous policy along these lines will probably occupy the council at an early date. A question which may lend, itself to keen debate will be the policy to be adopt* ed in regard to some narrow streets in the borough, especially in the Alicetown district. There have been applications from owners to have some streets exempt from compulsory widening. If such applications are granted the streets will remain narrow 1 for all time; if, however, the council compels the owners to set back, it may be faced with claims for compensation. The problem is : will the areas be of such importance in the future that narrow streets would be a serious detriment? It was found that the rapid growth of some of the newlysettled parts, notabjy, the Knight Estate and new subdivisions off White's Line, will open up the questions of extending the surface and sewage drains and giving a supply of. water. The latter is not a very difficult problem, and will probably be a payable outlay, but the provision of surface drainage and the disposal of sewage will be, owing to the_ flat nature of the ground, a question which will need some consideration. The proposal to clean the Waiwetu River will, ii carried out, very materially assist in the disposal of surface water; but it is fairly clear that sewage will either have to be pumped to connect with the existing system, or else i separate septic tanks will need to be provided. The need of more street lamps was a matter of comment by councillors. _ The reservation of certain areas of native bush. and other improvements of existing scenic reserves was the subject ■ of some consideration, as was also the acquisition of land for play areas and open spaces, and in this connection the possibility of utilising the old gasworks site near Melling was considered. An important proposal which will come.up for early consideration will be the question of purchasing a strip of land alongside the Waiwetu River with a view to the formation of a shady walk. " The advisability of piping certain open drains, tree-planting . along the main road, Railway avenue, and on certain waste lands, was also under consideration.

Large as is Lower Hutt, councillors saw that many of the problems were larger than the borough, and were really Hut 6 Valley problems, and the need of centralised control was apparent. In regard to the best way of meeting tlie transit needs of < the district, councillors were practically unanimous in accepting the view expressed by the Mayor (Mr. W. T. Strand), and there is little doubt that steps will be taken at»an early date to bring about improvement* of an. important and far-reaching character in the district.

A point which will exercise the minds of councillors will be the possibility of improving upon the present method of pumping water by the provision of a gravitation scheme, which might serve the needs of the whole, valley. ■ Councillors expressed' themselves as being much impressed by the educative nature of their trip, and stated that what they had seen would be of great importance in assisting their deliberations at the council table. The innovation of making each councillor the chairman of a committee is likely to lead to more efficient work being accomplished, as on Saturday each councillor showed a keen desire to master the details of his own particular branch of the council 1* activities.