A LONG ROAD AND DARK

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 2, 2 July 1926, Page 8

A LONG ROAD AND DARK

THE WAY TO HAUGHTON VALLEY

COUNCIL WILL NOT PROVIDE

LIGHTS

POSSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

The secretary of the Civic League (Mr. D. M'Laren), in conversation with a "Post" reporter to-day, suggested that much might be done to assist the people of tho Haughton Valley district by the exercise of co-operation between the residents and the City Council, particularly in the direction of providing better road access, and some —for there is none —road lighting. The residents are ready to co-operato at once.

"A few nights ago Mr. F. W. Moore and I attended a meeting of the Haughton Valley Progressive Association," said Mr. M'Laren, "and both of us wore very much impressed by several things that were put before us. We were particularly interested in the large attendance at the meeting, for it certainly put in the shade meetings we have attended in much more populous districts. There were manj^ ladies present, which is an indication that the residents generally are actively interested in the development of their district.

'' The three matters which were particularly stressed were, one, the need for better road access; two, the need for

moto2- transport, and, three, the lighting of the road which both men and women have to traverse in the dark. It will be a surprise to many people to know that there are no lights on the road leading to this district, and tho road, moreover, is tortuous and has some risky points for vehicular traffic. The Civic League has put the last need first out of consideration for the womenfolk who must travel to and fro in the dark. Citizens generally will have a lot of sympathy with those whose wives and daughters must undergo this hardship.

RESIDENTS READY TO ASSIST.

"The question of a more direct road is bound up with the important issue of the development and expansion of this part of the city. There are probably many who do not realise how our city is expanding and what are the problems that, must be faced to allow for the spreading out of the increasing population. We found that the residents of tho Haughton Valley district very very anxious not only to secure the council's active assistance towards better roading, but also to do their share to that end. We learned that there is on foot a fairly active movement to build a number of cottages there, and, plainly, that would help tho city as well as the district, by assisting, in some measure, to copo with the housing problem. Builders are prepared to erect groups of houses as soon as facilities are provided to enable more people to live in the dis-' triet..

"Certain laud owners have already offered to give strips of land towards1 the widening of one of the roads, and, wo understand, the council is now negotiating with others to contribute in the same way. The Civic League would very much like to see all the land owners who can assist do their part in this way to further tho. development of the district.

WAIT AND SEE,

"The building of more houses and the provision of water and lighting connections are matters for joint and, in a sense, co-operative action between the residents and owners ami the City Corporation. It was represented at the meeting that the council was disposed to take up the attitude that it would supply the needs of better roading, transport, and lighting whon, or after, the district is more thickly settled, but, on the other hand, property owners and residents say that they cannot make proper advancement until greater facilities are given by the council. It seems to us that the two points of view might be harmonised, and private citizens and the corporate body together take steps towards the expansion that this city needs. Over these hills and valleys there is a large amount of vacant land, while in the city area we have pressure and congestion, and it is therefore very desirable that the settlement of these lands and the building of better homes in healthy surroundings should be pushed on as rapidly as possible.

NOT JUST AT PRESENT,

"The loague's executive has niado very strong representations to the Mayor with regard to the urgent need for lighting. We have been told that the change-over will have to be effected in that direction and that nothing can be done in.the way of supplying street lighting at the present time, but we are not satisfied that assistance cannot be given in the way of a few lights to ameliorate the conditions under which the people have at present to go to and from their homes. One land owner has offered to grant a passage through his land so that a direct lino of poles may be erected, instead of by a long detour Tjy the road.

"I am told by the secretary of the that practically everyone in the district is connected ■ with the organisation, so that there is no excuse here of divided opinion among the people; they are absolutely united in what are recognised as the primary wants of their district. Moreover, the residents show commendable public ■nirit in wishing to co-operate with the f.ity authorities in order to have the work pushed on. • ■

"Wo were impressed by the fact that here pioneer work is being dpne-by the people themselves in a district which; we are sure, will, before many years, be covered with a great number of houses. The situation is a healthy and beautiful one, and by #s speedy development probably more could be done towards casing housing conditions in the city than the City Council would be able to do by any housing scheme of its own in a great number of years."