Development of Hutt Valley

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 47, 24 May 1939, Page 7

Development of Hutt Valley

COMMUNITY OF INTEREST WITH WELLINGTON CITY'S REQUEST f]olt CONSIDERATION Consideration of the mutual interests of the Hutt Valley and Wellington in any scheme adopted by the Government for the development of the Hutt Valley was sought by a deputation representing the' Wellington City Council which waited upon the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, on Thursday last. Water and electric power supplies were given by the deputation as examples of activities that might be co-ordinated with advantage to the two districts. The Minister replied . that the request was reasonable. There was no doubt that the common interests of the I-lutt Valley and Wellington would be considered. Mr. Parry also expressed his own personal view that the day was not far distant when there would be an overhead roadfray between the two centres. The deputation was introduced by Mr. McKeen, M.P. for Wellington South, who is a member of the city council. The mayor, Mr. Hislop, said the council was anxious to bring about co-ordination of activities as far as was possible in the development of the Hutt Valley and Wellington city. There were various activities of common importance to the two districts. Water supply was one of these. The time would no doubt come when some big gravity scheme would have to be developed, certainly for Wellington, and this could be more economically done if the needs of the two localities were considered at the same time. Electric Power Supply. Another question of common interest was that of electric power supply. There was a power board in the Hutt Valley and the city had its own supply, but there was no question that to bring about the most economical arrangement some union was desirable. If the city council extended its scheme and supplied the Hutt Valley it could be done much cheaper. Such a scheme was under consideration by the Minister of Public Works with a view to making a more effective arrangement for the distribution of power in the 'North Island. There was also the question of zoning. Many people lived in the Hutt Valley and came into Wellington to work and vice versa. If there were any zoning of industries it would seem advisable to take into consideration the capacity of the whole area. There were various other matters of a technical nature j that were of mutual interest. ! The deputation did not aesire to antagonize the Hutt Valley; it was obvious to all that that district should be developed. The council was anxious, however, that the activities of the two districts should be co-ordinated. When the Government's town planning officer, Mr. J. W. Mawson, had developed his scheme for the Hutt Valley the city council would like its officers to be given the opportunity for consultation and consideration of various phases of it. The council felt ! t would be to the advantage of all concerned if there were mutual discussions immediately the scheme was sufficiently advanced to allow them to proceed. Keply By Mr. Parry. Mr. Parry said the Government was very anxious to see the Hutt Valley planned on a scale that would at least be comparable to that of a decent city. It had decided to push ahead with all expedition with the preparation of plans for the development of the district, so that homes could be built and industries developed according to a proper plan. It wai not intended that there should be anything in the nature of dictation. A great responsibility rested 011 the town planning officer, but the Government felt that he had the training and ability for the job. The suggestion made by Mr. Hislop seemed quite a reasonable one. He did not think that there was any doubt that the mutual interests of the Hutt Valley and Wellington would be considered, j and he was sure that Mr. Mawson would be ready to have discussions with the council's officers dealing with various aspects of development. There was no need for friction. What the Government wanted in the Hutt Valley was a decent lay-out for the future. Wellington 'did not seem to have very much room left for industries. The Hutt Valle/ and the ctiy were so close that they were almost one. Overhead Road. • "I believe the day is coming when we will have an • overhead road between Wellington and the Hutt," said Mr. Parry. "This is my own personal opinion. Before we have a deceni transport system we will have to have one-way traffic. Traffic would go out from Wellington to the Hutt on the top road and return on the bottom road. If we had some such system there would be fewer accidents, and it would be better than widening the Hutt Road. The day when we have an overhead road of this description may not be very far distant in view of the development in the Hjitt#.; There is a job between FoxtoijfliM Levin which is a splendid example of this particular kind of work." Mr. _Parry said he was sure Mr. Mawson would be glad to meet the* council's officers during development work so that any question of mutual interest could be discussed.. The Mayor thanked Mr. Pariy for .his cordial reply to the representations of the deputation.