CITY‘S PROGRESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18600, 30 December 1920, Page 5

CITY‘S PROGRESS.

THE Al AY OR’S REVIEW,

WATCHWORDS FOR. NEW YEAR. “Reconstruction, progress, housing, education, must bo. our watchwords in 1921,” said the Alayor yesterday. “Wo look hack over the past year with a sense of deep civic interest and pride—tlie deepest pride—-in the fact that wo welcomed, and had as our guest, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who has endeared himself to the Empire. 1 particularly thank all sections of the community/especially the committees that worked *o mini to make the Royal Visit a great success. “ During tho year, we welcomed and entertained many other distinguished visitors, civilian, military, and from overseas. Our permanent officials and staffs worked well and did well. On a fixed pre-war income wo have managed to•,finance, but now that post-war conditions prevail wo must have increased revenue, not only to carry on, but also to bring about improvements that are absolutely necessary. The acquisition of the Canterbury Hall site, in Manchester Street, will enable a housing scheme to be carried out for the city’s administration; it is very urgent for the sake of health, centralisation and efficiency. Workers’ houses in Hu.xlcv Street, under the municipal housing scheme, aie well under wav. The'small sum lent by Government, £IO.OOO a year, is merely a pittance of what we require. Elmwood Park, acquired, fenced, paid for, and reproduetively sown, in twelve months will he a needed extension of our sports grounds and playgrounds. Waltham Park, acquired by poll and paid tor, is being put into shape, and it will he a splendid lung asset n one of the most thick!v populated parts of the city A creche" ground has been acquired close to the Sydenham main school; when completed it will he a great rest and boon to working mothers. “Our hydro-electric scheme has been fully exploited. We are anxiously a waitin'* the promised increased power from Lake Coleridge. The administrative work of the city’s scheme has been separated from the technical side by the appointment of a general manager, Air E. Hitchcock, who has entirely readjusted, and added to. the offices in Manchester Street, and made them up-to-date in all respects. _ “A great deal.of tarring and tarred macadam has improved our streets for traffic purposes and has caused a decided abatement of the dust nuisance. This nrncess needs a. much wider application. The regulation of street traffic, both foot passenger and vehicular must receive more earnest attention. There is far too much reckless, unskilled and fast driving, and serious accidents are too painfully common. This must bo dealt, with hy'well framed, reasonable by-laws. “ A Sewerage Bill missed by Parliament has added additional suburban areas to the present area. We must arrange for a larger water supply in order to carry out a comprehensive scheme of sewerage and must get neighbouring boroughs—Riccarton, Sprevdon, Woolston, Sumner and New Brighton—and the Heatheote and Balmain Counties to join us and consolidate the great mutual civic services, and make our city one harmonious whole under one administrative control, taking in. of course, the tramway system, engineering, street construct ion, water supply, sewerage, the hydro-electric system and direct ooimnnnfojttion with the sea. This will he carried out, under one root in our new offices in Manchester Street. “ Our export and import and custom services are daily growing, worse, to the advantage of other cities in New Zealand. We are being starved for coal and timber, and tho handling of railway trucks is lamentable. We must have a groat . Town Hall, compatible with tho dignity of our city, for our entertainments, cur .orchestral and hand concerts, and civic and large public functions. “Our city at present hardly realises her great beauties, and. the assets which Nature and the pilgrims gave her. Amongst these are the Public Hardens, tin* parks and squares, and the river Avon. The river should.be energetically taken in hand and made tho principal beautv feature of this beautiful Garden City.. Citizens can help to beautify the. city by keeping tidy promises and tidy fences, and making their buildings ‘ sky-line ’ with those of. their neighbours. Front garden fences are not, necessarv, and those that aro unsightly should be removed. Tho citizens have these matters in their own hands. Thev have only to vote and the thing will, he done. Onr next city elections, which will be held in April, under proportional representation, will give every progressive citizen a right to vote for schemes that are necessary for progress.”