TE KUITI AND TOWN PLANNING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1221, 7 June 1919, Page 4

TE KUITI AND TOWN PLANNING.

One of the delegates to the recent Town Planning Conference in Wellington, spent a few hours in Te Kuiti on his return journey, and in tbe course of a conversation with a representative of the Chronicle said that, in bis opinion, Te Kuiti possessed in many respects almost unrivalled natural advantages for a Town Planning Scheme. It was encircled with hills tbat were neither too steep nor too high for residential purposes, and which were of a quality well suited for afforestation. A stream running through a town was always a valuable adjunct to a Town Planning Scheme, and the one which Te Kuiti possessed, while not very big, was still big enough, if cleaned up and beautified, to enhance tbe effect of tbe general scheme. There was also ample fall for drainage, and an excellent water supply—two very important essentials. Under these circumstances, he could see no reason why Te Kuiti should not welcome the new movement, and seriously consider the adoption of a comprehensive scheme. The difficulties and discouragements of the present tenure were then explained to him, and he quickly admitted that security of tenure was fundamental to any Town Planning Scheme. And this is where the shoe pinches. Te Koiti is to be checked in all forward movements so long as tbis obstacle blocks the way. Tbe position is an intolerable one. Appeals have been made to responsible Ministers again and Bgain, and with what result?—the matter will receive careful consideration. And so the dreary game goes on. Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, and Otorohanga cry aloud for relief, but in vain. Perhaps it is just as well that an election is nigh at hand, for Ibe leaders of the parties —Messrs Massey and Ward—who have been very seriously inconvenienced these last foar years with their official responsibilities in New Zealand, are no? insensible to the value, at critical times, of the additional support of even one electorate. We think the suggestion recently made by the Mayor of Taumarunui thßt a conference of the representatives of the three towns should be held immediately, IB a good one, and as tbe next session is certain to be a short one, no time should be lost in carrying the proposal into effect, so tbat a strong, united appeal may be made to Parliament early in the sespion.