GREATER DEVONPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15235, 24 February 1913, Page 5

GREATER DEVONPORT.

Sir, —Perhaps nothing has so hampered our progress as the lack of foresight and insight in the laying-out of our public works, towns, and cities. Probably our entire public debt would be covered by the cost of the consequent waste involved. On' every hand we have had to re-purchase and' remodel land and works „to meet growing necessities, simply because our managers have been shortsighted. Lot us not perpetuate these errors in Devonport. From Takapuna to North Head there is a magnificent prospect for a fine city (which will surely eventuate) possessing splendid advantages. rivalling its mother city across the way. Within a few decades its busy streets wilT hum with city life and industry. Now is the time for petty thoughts and meagre aims to be cast into the melting pot, and one grand comprehensive scheme evolved for the general good. It is gratifying to see a move in this direction, but, unfortunately, some inadequate schemes are in the jair, which }>id fair to" hinder : the full development of what must come, arid entail future loss by their incubus, repeating the errors of the past. I appeal to the influential men of our district to lilt up their eyes and sco,'' so that the blunders of our fathers may be avoided. I respectfully suggest a big conference of picked men, representing all the district , from Takapuna to North Head, to lay out a scheme, a plan, a " town plan, with an eye to the in:mediate future, and ' the future in the distance," no petty makeshift for the present, no frittering away good funds in half measures, but a bold, sensible, scheme, conceived in the light of past failures, and with a firm 'belief m _ the future of Devonport. If we sink our individual interests in a common cause, : our real individual interests wilt spring out of it a hundred-fold.

Stanley Bay.

Peter Elijh.

the LAND hunger

KING COUNTRY BALLOT.

. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Tatjmauunui, Saturday. A' ballot for 23 sections has been held by Mr. Broderick, Commissioner of Crown Lands, assisted by Messrs. Davson and McLennan, members of the Land Board. Two days were taken up with receiving applications. In this ballot the new regulations were observed, preference being given to married men with families, and those who had twice previously , within, the preceding two years competed unsuccessfully at ballots.

There were in all 355 individual applicants, each of whom had put in several applications; these totalled 1551, giving an average of 4£ applications to each candidate. Of the total number of applications, 1169 were accorded preference, the remaining 382 not coming, within the conditions. The following is the result of the drawing, at which Mr. Greenstreet acted a3 scrutineer for the candidates:—Block VI. Hunua S.D. (K&kahi Township): Section 31, la 2r 20p, S. E. Austin, seven applicants; Section 32, la 2r 21p, Mary Beautrais, six applicants; Section 33, la 2r 25p, Agnes Mitchell, four applicants; Section 33a, 2a Or Bp, Adolph Goldfinch, one applicant; Section 34, 2a, lr Bp, Lily L. Brew, one applicant Section 35, 2a lr 12p, D. Jackson, two applicants; Section 36, 2a Or 17p, A. Mudford, one applicant; Section 37, 3a 2r 2p, F. W. Greenstreet, one applicant; Sections 12 and 13, ,83a. lr, Gladys T. Marshall, 84 . applicants; Section 19, 83a lr, R. C. H. Humphrey, 106 applicants; Section 21, Thomas Barnett, five applicants; Section 23, 77a 2r, Edgar A. odder, 22 applicants; Section 24, 91a 2r 24p, Elsie H. Norman, 121 applicants; Section 25, 74a lr, Daniel Eraser, 112 applicants. Block X.: Section 14, 88a lr 24p, E. Woodward, 126 applicants Section 17, 82a lr, W. E. Young, 132 applicants; Section 18, 80a, Joseph Wood, 135 applicants; Section 20, 89a Or 32p, Ellen D. Allen, 107 applicants. Block XI. : Section 2a, 200 a, Aves Maher, eight applicants. Block IX.: Section 25, 170 a, Geo. Somerville, 13 applicants; Section, 30, Block VII., Manganui Survey District, A. Allingham, four applicants.