MANAIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 July 1924, Page 10

MANAIA.

(From Our Own. Correspondent.) YOUNG PEOPLE’S CLUB. On Monday last the members of the chib had the pleasure of'hearing a very interesting lecture by Air \Y. It. Taylor on “Towns and Citizens.” The lecturer has had the privilege of being a resident of a number of large cities, and in addition is very widely travelled, so his remarks ha"d an added interest. Air Taylor said that he believed he was addressing some in the audience who would he the civic leaders in the/ future; and he wanted to impress them all with a sense not only of the citizen’s privileges, but also of his responsibilities. The best citizen was one who knew when to exercise the privilege, of giving up some of his rights. He illustrated tnis by contrasting the German custom of a woman giving no her seat to a man in public conveyances with the New Zealander's idea of chivalrous conduct towards woman. There was .something higher in- citizenship than insisting on rights, and that was the obligation to make some positive contribution to the welfare of the town. A good citizen always tried to help those who were up against it. in times of depression he got to work to dispel goom, lie whistled under difficulties, he was not cast down by slumps, hut kept a stiff upper lip. and worked to bring hack prosperity again. One of the great 'difficulties in civic aihurs was to find upright and honourable men to lead. Every now and awain scandals came to light ‘in civic admniistiaiion. and these tended to keen owid men away. But, rightly vieweef, they were only an additional ‘reason why the ■ost men and women should lie induced lo take the lead. Brains were needed as well because, as lie would show, lack <>t foresight had laid great burdens unnecessarily on the shoulders of later generations. Jt was necessary to look ued ahead and plan for what might seem .to he impossible developments Mauaia might one day he the .ornlen suburb of Hawera. Such development luu.l Liilcon pin eo within tho space of 3;i years. Some cities were now spending fabulous sums buying up property to widen streets and' create public parks for breathing soaces. Such spaces were necessary, not only for recreational and artistic purposes. hut also for keeping the air. of cities pure Trees and greenery were very helpful in this wav. One park lor a town was of little benefit compard with a .number placed at no great distance from one another. There should be a park within half a mile of every house in town. Hawera s park was ol no use to the mothers and children of Nolantown It was too far away. The narks must be accessible. Small rest places should he provided close to the busy shopping areas, so that old people and mothers would he able to have a much-needed rest. The lecturer urged the members to have an ideal fur their town —to make it as beautiful, clean, healthy, and happy as it was possible to he. He then proceeded to’ illustrate his points by taking a number of cities and indicating how they were deaing with the

dicating how they- were dealing with the cities in Australia, and Capetown. London. Edinburgh, Dundee. Liege. Cologne, Port Sunlight. Bournville. and I unarna were all made to throw lio-ht on civic problems. ” A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried enthusiastically bv the members. ?. A humorous charade was acted by some of the chili, and a. musical competition was won by Aliss L. Greenhill.