STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 99, 23 October 1924, Page 9

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR

HEARTILY APPRECIATED

Interviewed, the Mayor (Mr. W. T. Strand), speaking in reference to general district activities, said:'"Yes! I

am- indeed thankful; more so than 1 can adequately express. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, and an experience enjoyed by few, to be associated as> I have .been during- the past two years -with such big-hearted, unselfish men as we have in the borough. Not only have we had gift of baths, dental, and Plunket rooms, donations to the, library, but from every direction help has been forthcoming; practical, advice from business and professional men; gifts of labour, trees, shrubs, bedding -j plants from .. nurserymen, and others. With such a civic spirit and pride of j place_ as is manifest in, the district, nothing can hold .it back. When you see sports bodies, such as cricket, foot-' ball,_ hockey, arid tennis clubs making provision for the boys and girls, giving way to other societies, recognising- that the providing and maintaining of grounds is an expensive matter to the council, and all uniting together , in sports and galas to materially help with funds, we should have the finest sports ground to be found in the Dominion. Of course, there will be differences of opinion about many things local, and it ' is good that there should be. All smooth water does not make strong swimmers, and when different opinions and thoughts are brought together, and the best selected and carried out in a constructive manner, then, and only then, will we have the best." ' / NEW RAILWAY LINE When questioned about the effect the new railway line would have on the borough of Lower Hutt, the Mayor expressed the opinion that it should be considered not from the borough but from a Hutt Valley point of view. He thought that, the time was past when all undertakings of this kind could be thought of in quite local terms; the Valley was naturally one and should be developed as one., ". In a Valley like this."' said Mr. Strand, " there must, and always will, be, different centres of activities, but the questions of transit, water supply, ! drainage, lighting,- roading, . and' other necessary services should knbw noboundaries such as we have set up to-day. The natural boundaries are the harbour . and the hills, and will eventually be the only ones recognised. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE "If you will allow me, ; ;l would like to consider the. question an even wider one than a borough or<a Valley matter. |It is really a Wellington district matter. No! It is even beyond that, and I the real-. question at issue-is, ' What i■ effect\is ; it going to have on the .whole. ' community in and around,the city?'

" The possibilities are greater than has yet been,.realised. The benefits that can be derived are not', only to be reckoned in cash, but in human life. The real effect Will not only be felt now but in future generations. What is going to be the effoct_ of relieving city congestion in a practical mariner is the seal question.' "I do not'think the new development scheme is going to alter the western portion of the Hutt Borough. The old centre will remain such, but will feel the benefit of increased population. The older settled portion of the borough will mmain unaltered as, far. as layout is concerned, but the opportunity of laying out the eastern portion' should not be missed. . . " J consider that the Government has done quite the right thing in acquiring the/larger blocks of land before opening it up. The movement was most democratic, and ono that I think will be more than justified. If the best is to

be obtained, it will be necessary for the. whole of the eastern portion of the Valley to be considered, properly zoned off, and the best lay-out obtained, making the most of the natural advantages, provide for future development, indusI trial areas, etc. PROPER TOWN-PLANNING. -| "The Hutt Borough Council.,is how [ drawing up conditions and is calling for i competitive designs for the proper town- i planning of th« southern and eastern j portions of the borough. This will be done in conjunction with the Govern- ] ment, and will be arranged so .as to j disturb the western portion as little as i possible." : . "How is the land acquired by the Government going to be disposed of?" "That at the present time," replied Mr. Strand, "is a matter for the Crown. No doubt it will receive careful consideration as soon as the session closes, when Ministers and others will have more time at their disposal. I can say this, however, that no,tirae.will be lost in opening up and making ready for settlement the land purchased. Wellington is bound to be a Iwge commercial and business centre, and if quick electric rail transit is given thousands of people can be comfortably housed in the l Hutt Valley. A house'for every family, and every family in ita own house is what I would like to flee. We have in the Hutt Valley the making of a model residential suburb, filled with real home's in beautiful, healthy surroundings, and I shall not be satisfied until I see this accomplished.'1 . "Are the council with you in this matter?" the' Mayor wag asked. " Yes, and they will go a long way to help to bring it .about," replied Mr. Strand. ' . . j