PROGRESS OF OTAHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 5

PROGRESS OF OTAHUHU.

MANY IMPROVEMENTS. WORJ{ OF NEW COUNCIL. The Otahtihu Borough Council has done much during the past 12 months to accelerate tho progress of the now borough. If it had carried out nothing more than the splendid improvement of the Great South Road, which has just been completed by Mr. Lockie Gannon and his staff at a cost of about £3000, it would have accomplished much, but the council has carried out a great deal of other useful work during tho year. One of the principal side streets, which was little better than a swamp, has been put in good order, and other streets and roads have been dealt with, or are still in hand. Before the end of the financial year a surprising amount of road, street, and footpath renovation will have been finished. The sanitation of the borough has also been much improved. There is now an utter absence of infectious disease, and the borough may be said to be one of the healthiest in the North Island. A new and well furnished chamber has been provided for meetings of tho council, with sufficient space for as many of the general public as are likely to attend council meetings. The ground in front of the borough offices has also been artistically laid out. Other important works are in contemplation, such as a large increase in tho water supply to meet the constantly increasing demand, an extension of tho drainage system, and tho completion of a stock road, which will obviate tho necessity for fiords of cattle- and flocks of sheep passing through the main thoroughfares to tho saleyards. These improvements may be delayed for somo time, but as soon as sufficient funds are available they will doubtless be earned out. Some largo areas of land have also been cut up for settlement. A new settlement of workers' dwellings, erected by the Government, will soon spring up near the Westfield works, on tho Mangere side of the Otahtihu railway station, and in all probability this will be \ accompanied by building operations in all' parts of the borough, Members of tho Borough Council are still hopeful that j eventually large areas will be taken into the borough, and so increase the revenue that tho council will bo enabled to undertake all other necessary public works, and thus make ample provision for a much larger population.