PARAPARAUMU BEACH NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 6

PARAPARAUMU BEACH NEEDS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The late Mr. Savage when Prime Minister pointed out the need of an adequate railway service to Paraptjaumu. He recognised the value this popular seaside resort offered to city people and that it was destined to carry a large permanent population with the advent of suitable and rapid transport —when it comes! Lately the number of permanent residents has increased. With improved suburban transport the population at Paraparaumu township and beaches would expand almost overnight and a great number of occasionally used houses (most times empty) could be occupied all the year and so help solve the city housing problems. The Paraparaumu Beach districts within two miles of the railway should be brought closer to the city by providing services to draw home-seekers from the overcrowded populace. Why not extend the railway suburban area of some forty years ago from Paekakariki to Paraparaumu, a distance of about six miles, where there is more available area for railway yards and expansion of population? An improved time-table, with shorter travelling time by rail-car, at suburban rates on weekly or monthly tickets, enabling people to reach the city by 9 a.m. daily would be well patronised. The time taken on this journey at present is too long. This summer it is not too late for the railways to arrange for a bus service to connect with the suburban service at Paekakariki at through suburban rates until a rail-car is available. If advertised thoroughly and given a fair trial these services would build up to pay their way. : With the increase in number of residents and visitors there is a just claim for the beach post office to provide facilities equal to those of Paraparaumu township, giving proper telephone exchange, with longer hours of service. Throughout recent holidays, in intense heat, two assistants worked at high pressure in cubicles the size of two telephone slot machine porches, trying to serve tolerant queues of people with mail matter and attend as well to telephone calls and telegraphic demands by the score. Closing the beach post office for delivery of telegrams and telephone communications at 5 p.m. at the height of the busiest season when facilities are most essential for the crowds at the beach is unreasonable. Why not move the exchange from Paraparaumu township to the beach and make it serve all the adjacent beaches and village, too? It is felt that the Railway and Post Office authorities have for a long time failed to realise the demands of these fastdevelcping beaches. I trust. Sir, that inquiries will be made and that improvements in the two essential services mentioned will be no longer delayed.—l am, etc.,

THE TURNING WORM.