POPULAR MARINE SUBURB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15234, 22 February 1913, Page 9

POPULAR MARINE SUBURB.

GROWTH OF ST. HELIERS BAY. PROGRESSIVE SCHEMES. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. Through its many natural advantages, of which its convenient situation in relation to the city is important, St Heliei's Bay and the adjacent Kohimarama, are rapidly developing into a populous suburb. They are within the jurisdiction of the Tamaki West Road Board, which has energetically undertaken to encourage and assist the progress of the district. Some account of the board's achievements and its plans was given to a Herald representative by its chairman (Mr. G. P. Campbell). The present chairman of the board is keenly appreciative of the possibilities of developing St. Heliers into a widely -popular watering-place, and the members of his board are in cordial agreement with his enthusiasm. The permanent population of St. Helieis is only about 500, but it has doubled in the last"two years. During the summer months there are about 500 people temporarily in residence at St. Heliers and Kohimarama, and on holidays between 7000 and 8000 people visit the two beaches. 1 About 40 building permits were issued during die lost six months. There is ample evidence that the place will | rapidly grow in favour as a conveniently j situated suburb. With a view to guarding ! against overbuilding, the board devoted its attention to the framing of building bylaws. Permission to erect new buildings is now conditional on the area being not less than one-fifth of an acre, and having a street frontage of 45ft. Larger schemes ' were then projected bv the board. Rain- i fall is at present the only source of domestic waiter supplies, and the recent dry weather has again proved the necessity of a more reliable system. A modem drainage system and a comprehensive schemo of road improvement were also re commended to the ratepayers. About six months ago the board submitted proposals for loans amounting to £35,000 to the ratepayers, comprising £10,000 for water, £19,000 for raiding, and £6000 for drainage. All these undertakings were sanctioned, but for several reasons, of which the stringency of the money market was' the principal one, the board has decided to postpone its roading and drainage schemes until a more favourable season. Permanent Water Supply. The provision of a permanent water supply has been undertaken by the board as the most urgent need of the community. Various schemes were discussed, but eventually arrangements were made with the Remtiera Road Board for a supply from its mains at the rate of Is 4d per 1000 gallons. The advisability of constructing a reservoir as a safeguard against interruptions in the supply was considered, and a site on tho top of St.- John's Hill was considered suitable, but in order to reduce the cost of the scheme, this plan has been deferred indefinitely. Water will be conveyed by a 6in main from the Remuera boundary, the principal main being 17,392 ft in length, and the reticulation system will comprise 25,896 ft of 4in mains, and 22,554 ft of 3in mains. A loan of £10,000 was authorised to pay for this undertaking, and the money has been obtained from the Public Trustee at 5 per cent. A contract has just been completed with Mr. William Forrest, of Auckland, whoso tender was £7960, and he is to finish the reticulation system in 52 weeks, so that it 'is confidently expected that a reliable water supply will be available by next summer. The cost of the scheme is to be discharged by a special rate of 9-10 d in the £, which will cover annual charges and establish a sinking fund for the redemption of the loan. A . Brake on Progress. ,■■' A serious obstacle to the progress of the districts exists in the presence of 1800 seres of endowment land belonging to the Church of England at the western end of the district. The main road from Kemuera and the city runs through, this area for 2£ miles?, and as the land is held in considerable blocks, the population upon it is small. On various occasions,, propositions have been mado with a view to securing tramway communication with the city but the extension is considered impracticable so long as. this unprofitable district remains undeveloped. For. the same reason, arrangements for the extension of gas mains into St. Heliers and Kohimarama have been delayed. Mr. Campbell remarked that this church endowment seemed to be an almost insurmountable- obstacle against every progressive proiKisal that was contemplated by the board. The advice of the Prime Minister was sought by a deputation recently, and he recommended the board to present a petition to Parliament, asking the Government to acquire the land for subdivision under "the .Land for Settlements Act. This suggestion has been accepted, and within a few days,, copies of a petition •will bo circulated among the ratepayers for their signatures. . , Five Miles of Foreshore. The district is fortunate in the possession of five miles of foreshore, extending from Orakei Point to Point England, which has been successfully preserved from threatened encroachments. A creditable scheme of improvements on the water frontage was embodied in the loan proposals," £3000 being proposed for expenditure on this work. Th» principal item in this plan is the construction' of a concrete retaining wall along the St. Heliers Bay foreshore and the formation behind it of a promenade planted with ornamental shrubs. This work has been delayed by the present deafness of money, but the opportunity for its fulfilment has been preserved by a. generous foresight on the part of the Auckland Tramways Company when the township was subdivided for disposal. A belt of land 100 ft wide along the water frontage of the bay has been reserved as the unsalable property of the public, so that there is ample scope for enhancing the present attractiveness of the bay. Conditions for sea-bathing are excellent at both beaches, and the plan includes the provision of accommodation for bathers. The Recreation Reserve. Another fine reserve of eight and threequarter acres was given to the people about the same time, and this forms the recreation ground. Situated within 100 yards of the jetty, the reserve is surrounded by streets, and is admirably suited for its purpose. Suggestions for its improvement have been formulated by Mr. Campbell, tho expenditure contemplated by him being about £1500. A cricket field and tennis courts are already estab- I lished on the recreation ground, and Mr. Campbell proposes the formation of bowlin"- and croquet greens, with pavilions, the erection of a. bandstand, the construction of a running track round the cricket field, and a general improvement of tho "rounds. A few weeks ago the ratepayers authorised an immediate expenditure of £500, and £250 has now been raised by the issue of 5 per cent, debentures to pay for the bowling green and preliminary improvements. The Road Board members are the trustees for the domain, and three of them with four other ratepayers, have been cofi'tiauted a. board to administer the expenditure on the domain.