A THRIVING SUBURB

Evening Star, Issue 12603, 7 September 1905, Page 8

A THRIVING SUBURB

THE PROGRESS W St KXEHA B would be' a work of supererogation—an nnnixmmiiij piling of Ossa upon Pelion, —to set out to prove that Dunedin has of late years been prosperous, but if the fact were called in question those arguing the affirmative would point first of all, perhaps, to the rapid growth of the City's suburbs. And St. Kiloa might well be" selected as a cogent ease m paint, far truly a remarkable change has come over the face of this advancing dfatnet daring the last decade. What was then, in large port, but an extensive grazing area is now a well-bail tupoa, flourishing municipality; where at that time if you buried a stone you would be sure to hit either a oow or a pig you would now certainly break a window; and where quagmire and barbed-wire fence then announced effectively “Na thoroughfare 1” one may at present promenade well-formed streets containing modern dwoDings of attractive appearance and up-to-date appointments Ten years ago, and less, the Hunt Club beagles started from the vicinity of the Poriwry Racecourse and followed the scent in an almost direct route to Anderson Bay; this would not be possible now. Oxrrauiencos, and even luxuries, that are not possessed by many more probations commonitiea are the boost of St. Kilda—among them a bowling green, an electric tram service, a permanent water supply, a town hall, a commodious recreation reserve, a well-equipped fire brigade, and a school—and though the residents do not claim the credit for all these good things, without doubt they have neglected no chamen of improving their cdbdition ■when either work or money was required. One of the groat advantages of the borough is its configuration. Being ail on the flat it is of easy access, and the tram and the bicycle bring it within comfortable reach at those who are employed in town and yet desire to have their mid-day meal at home. The boor usually allowed for lunch admits of this being dose, and is an important factor with many in deciding the question of which suburb to choose for residential purposes. In the matter of tramway communication St Hilda is specially fortunate. The main Rt. Hilda Hue runs through the heart of the borough; the Anderson Bay line conveys passengers to its eastern boundary; on the west it is skirted bv the Portrary road line: while the Tahuua Bark branch passes through the centre of Musselburgh Ward. Nothing better could be asked for. Another enticement is thoadjoining sea beach. This beautiful promenace has always been a source of great attraction to Dunedinites, and will never

lose its charm. So much for Rt. Hilda's more or less

natural advantages; now for those which * have been cultivated. To a large extent the borough is indebted to the wisdom of bygone mayors and councillors. They foresaw what many others were blind to. While land was cbesp they acquired sufficient to form streets of proper width, and this foresight enabled the ratepayers to escape increased taxation for latter-day tramway purposes; they provided for a permanent water supply, saving the cost of temporarv provision for an ultimate necessity : and they tori, care not to overstep the border dividing enterprise from extravagance, and borrowed only sufficient to meet legitimate requirements. Their rates consequently compare favorably with those of other localities- When in the fulness of time increased fighting is provided (a clamant necessity) St, Kilda residents will have to search closely for grounds of complaint.' At this point a short review of the borough and its progress (as exemplified bv figures) wilt not be out of place, St. Kilda comprises 463 acres, divided into two wards —Park and Musselburgh. Park Ward is lunch the older settled, Musselburgh having practically come into existence within the past ten years. As {Unstinting the advancement during that period the following table will be of interest;—

Freni the above it will be seen that in ten years the dwellings have more than donned in number and the valuation nearly so. The popn lotion, of cnmse, shows a corresponding increase. The census taken in 1901 rave a total of 1,700, whereas the official estimate is now 2,760. That stagnation has not yet set in is proved by the tact that since March 31 of the present year the somber of bouses bnilt and in course of erection is set down at forty-five, which promises a far more prosperous twelve months than ever before. It might be mentioned that the foregoing figures are official (supplied bv the courtesy of the mayor), and may therefore be regarded os thoroughly reliable. Now as regards finances—the barometer of prosperity. St. Kilda has a total loan mdehteences of £14,000, of which £S,OOO is on water supply account. A point worth noticing is that these loans are very favorably placed, the interest on the total working" out at only 4 1-7 per cant. The Council ham now under consideration a proposal

to borrow a farther sum of £7,000. chiefly for the purpose of road and footpath formation. The Mm of £6,000 was first proposed, and in a report to the Coonoil by Mayor Martov and Or Colling in March last the following statements were made : —“"Hie interest on a loan of £6,000 at 4t per cent- would be £270. As before pointed out, in the two years the previous loan was spent our revenue from general and special rates improved by £248 Is 6d. It n therefore reasonable to suppose that a greater increase would take place in respect to the proposed loan, thus leaving no additional burden on the ratepayers. We would also draw attention to the fact that the special rate at present pays interest on all loans, with £l2 to spare.’* Under the arenmstances the Council will hardly be accused of launching out beyond their depth in their borrowing proposals, intended to meet the demands consequent upon the upspringrng of residences in many esses on the lines of unformed roads. As before remarked, increased lighting is badly needed, and many residents will bo disappointed to find no provision made for that purpose in the proposed loan allocation schedule; hot inquiry proves that quite imftwial cHßcuftiea present themselves in IJm connection. The present mayor made strenuous efforts upon taking office to improve affairs, and an agreement had actually been arrived at with the defunct Waipori Company by which the electric Bght was to nave been installed in April last, bat of course that fell through, and tiie future outlook is as dark as the streets. A few instances of the change in land values may be worth recording. In 1874 Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. conducted a sale of Musselburgh sections, and in the following year another sale was held by the late Mr Henry Driver. Most .of Musselburgh was bought by Mr David Proudfoot, and for over twenty years the district stood stall—dear evidence of the imdesiraUeoess of allowing any one person to hold targe quantities of land in close proximity to a city. Ultimately the property feQ into (he hands of the Bank of Jfev Zealand, and the Globo Assets Company offered it for sale in budding allotments on April 30, 1897, and Mr D. M. Speddmg held a sale a few months later. Iran that tone progress has been continuous. At tiie latter sales sections facing the Qooen’s Drive brought from £3l to £44they are now quoted at from £175 (a few wmfcs ago £225 was asked for one); sections on Prince Albert road (the main thoroughfare) averaged £32—they considerably over £IOO now; wMe in Princes street allotments for which £320 is bow demanded were disposed of for from £ls to £29, and other streets in propertion. Oily eight years ago! Park Ward, too, b,«t made rapid strides; as a matter of lack, more buddings were erected there last year Dmm in the Musselburgh diviaioDTwenfcv vests sines land was more valuable in Paii'Ward than it was ten years ago. As an instance, a 8-sere block Bold a score of years since far £SOO was disposed of in 1897 for £165. R would now be worth approximately £l£oo- R_ may - he fairly that sections which in depression Hums averaged £lO would now average 34m ill mih in Pufc_Wsrd ue jnl

theyrnn at 40ft, 50ft, and 66ft. A story concerning a Park Ward land transaction might fit in here appropriately enough. Some time before the depression prevailing ten years ago a section was purchased for £65, and when prices were about at their lowest an offer was forwarded by the owners of the adjoining section to the holder (then in Melbourne) of £25, at that time a really good price. Hut the holder would have none of it; be was not anxious to sell, and would certainly not accept lees than he gave—in fact, would require a little to boot. To his great surprise another offer was made him, on this occasion of £BO. He of course accepted, though he ctmld not understand such liberality, as he was aware that there were vacant sections on the other side which £2O would purchase. A year or so afterwards, when be returned, all was clear to him. By an error of surrey, or something of the kind, the owners of the section next his property had erected a rather commodious and expensive building on his section by mistake, and this accounted for their purchasing at an abnormal figure. The original owner is of opinion that he would likely have asked still more had he known how matters stood.

Tt is clear that St. KHda has not yet reached its limits. The district can do with many things yet, and its inhabitants are not the kind to sit down and wait for benefits. A good start has been made in the direction of obtaining tennis courts, and this object is practically attained. As soon as the objections of the Domain Board can be overcome a band rotunda will assuredly rise on the Sandhills, At present" -, cry large crowds from the City find their •city to the Peach, and band music will be inst the thing to entertain them and be 1 ighly appreciated. Cheap and frequent trams will result in larger crowds than ever visiting the beach during the coming summer, and all requisites are provided feu catering for their needs, picturesque tea rooms really taking the place of a shelter shed at the tram terminus.

On the question of amalgamation with, the City there is no strong desire evinced apparently on either side. No outstanding advantages present themselves to St. Kilda people, and it is likely some considerable time will elapse before they pain with their Dunedin friends. _ More especially is St. Kilda well suppi it'd with recreation grounds. Besides their own reserve (the gift of Mr T. S. Culling, to whom the district owes much indeed), Tahnna Park and the Forbury Racecourse are both within their boundaries ' and in a little while there will be two bowling greens in the borough, as the St. Clair people are forming their new playing area on the St. Kilda side of Forbury road. It will not be gainsaid that a municipality, more particularly in struggling davs, depends for success upon its Council. St,’ Kilda, in this respect, has been fortunate above the common. Sir Hugh Gonrley, as mayor, looked after its interests for a long time in the old days. The names of the occupants of the mayoral chair for the past eight years are as follow r—lß9B- - Mr T. R. Culling; 1839-1900, Mr T. S. CulEng; 1900-01, Mr B. Mitchell; 190102, Mr G. Hodges ; 1902-03. Mr G. Hodges ; 1903-04, Mr C. J. Gore; 1904-05, Mr J. J. Marlow; and for the current term again Mr J. J. Marlow. Each of the above did valuable work during his term, but naturally the duties have become more onerous ivith the growth of the district, and the present mayor (Air »T. J. Marlow), by the enthusiasm he baa shown and the earnestness with which he has undertaken his duties, has earned special praise and deserves special thanks. The demands of his unsalaried office must have meant to him a great financial sacrifice, and thanks alone would be but a poor return for the work he has accomplished while in office. Councillors and mayors have always worked wen together; ‘there have been no scenes; and, writing from experience, it is safe to assert that St. Ivflda sets an example of how to do things municipal properly. Up till three "years ago the Council met in an inconvenient, ramshackle old place dranified by the name of chambers, bnt about that time the present convenient town hall was completed and thought to be sufficient for years to come —a mistake, for extra accommodation is found to be absolutely necessary, aud will be at once met. Various other projects are in the air, and with the aid of its natural advantages and of the- approaching loan Rt. KHda may be expected to establish firmly its position as the favorite seaside resort of Dunedinftes.

Ypar. Dwellings. Valuation. 1895 221 £8,762 1896 224 8,579 1897 230 _ 8.608 1898 238 8,780 1899 261 9,068 1900 _ 288 _ 9,375 1901 _ 338 _ 10,335 1902 _ 375 _ 11,129 1903 415 _ 12,198 1904 451 13,461 1905 517 „ 15.270