MT. ALBERT'S GROWTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18211, 3 October 1922, Page 9

MT. ALBERT'S GROWTH.

RAPID DEVELOPMENT.

HIGH BUILDING RATE.

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S WORK.

Tho Kowhai Junior High School, which was officially opened yesterday, adds yet another educational institution to the Borough of Mount Albert, and incidentally draws attention to the remarkable growth in recent yearg of that suburb, possessing a population of over 11,000, which is equal to that of New Plymouth.

When the late Mayor of the borough, Mr. T. B. Clay, in his valedictory speech about two years ago, declared that 'in a few years' time there would be seen a most remarkable expansion and growth in Mount Albert," he was uttering no idle boast. The prophecy is in the process of fulfilment. The borough comprises the districts of Rocky Nook, Glenmore, Kingsland, Morningside, Edendale, and Mount Albert. In 1912 it was raised from tho status of a Road Board to that of a borough.

Interesting figures showing its development were supplied on Saturday by the Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. A. F. Bennett. In 1912, the first borough year, the number of ratepayers was 1950, while the figures for 1922 show that 3299 narr.es are now cm the ratepayers* roll.

During 1914, and the past three years said Mr. Bennett, the progress had beer i most marked. The building permit.' issued during that period reflected, in a , very striking manner, the wonderful growth of the district. In 1920, there .wore issued 255 building permits, including 86 for dwelling's, at a total value ol £69,716. In 1921, 334 permits, for buildings of a total value of £180,857, were issued. Besides 144 permits for dwellings, this number included the new Boys' Grammar School, at a value oi £44,300. In this connection, Mr. Bennett stated that th 3 residents did not appear to fully realise what the establishment of such an institution meant to the borough. In addition to enhancing the values of contiguous properties, it was in every way a most valuable asset to the borough and an institution to be proud of. During the present year 474 building permits for work worth £274,656 had been issued, including 254 for dwellings. The new Kowhai High Schosl was inchided in that total, at a value of £31,000. Revenue and Expenditure. In 1912, when the capital value of the borough was £1,074,806, the receipts were £11.106 and the expenditure £9123. In 1920, with a capital value of £1,693,948, the receipts totalled £22,464 and the expenditure £22,271 The receipt in 1921 with a capital value of £2,434,630, were £23,793 and the expenditure £26,753, while in 1922 £31,676 was received and £30,007 expended, and the capital value had increased to £2,641,795. The vacant land of the district is being rapidly subdivided, large estates b?ing cut up. At almost every meeting of the Borough Council two or three, and sometimes as many as five subdivision plans are submitted for the council's approval In some cases the. subdivisions comprise over 200 sections. The council has embarked upon a progressive programme of roading, drainage and water reticulation schemes. Altogether, the council has received the sanction of the ratepayers to raise loans of about £207,000 for these works. At the present time the works in progress or authorised are estimated to cost about £37,000. This amount includes £22.000 for drainage works at Rocky Nook and other parts of the district, and about £13,000 for the concreting of the main thoroughfare New Nrrth Road, from Onslow Road corner to the Kingsland post office. A sum of £2000 is to be expended in other roa,d works, While the question of the best method of dealing with the Mount Albert end of the main road is now under consideration. Th« council intended, siid the Mayor, to pursue a steady policy of drainage works, water main reticulation and road improvements, raising the necessary money and doing the various works at s reasonable rate until all are completod. Tho council's operations are at present providing work for nearly 100 men. Fire Protection. Tho system of electric fire alarms recently installed has proved to be quite efficient and successful, and has already saved thousands of pounds' worth of property. Further extensions are to be made as opportunity offers. Recently the refuse collection was extended to cover the whole of the district's large area. The rates amount to 2£d in the £, which compares favourably with other progressive districts. , The system of electric lighting will be introduced into the borough as soon as the Auckland Electric Power Board receives necessary material. Probably no other borough in the Dominion can boast the same number of educational institutions. Tho Boys' Grammar School in Rob Roy Street, on the Alberton Estate, was opened this year and now has a roll number of 280. Pupils attend from as far north as Helensville. The new Junior High School at Kowhai Street marks a distinct step forward along educational lines. In aadition to these, there are the Mount Albert and Edendale public schools and the Eden Park model school, while the infant portion of the Point Chevalier School is in the Mount Albert Borough. The Education Board recently acquired a site for a new school in Mountain Road. Besides numerous kindergarten schools, there are the Mount Albert Industrial Home and the Methodist Orphanage, the latter comprising two very .fine buildings. Tramway Claims.

| The extension of the tramways along Edendale Road, for which the council is •working hard, would, it is claimed, prove an inestimable 'boon to hundreds of fesi-. dents of that district and toward this end. the council is steadily pushing the claims of the Kinireland overbndge. Mr. Bennett stated in this connection that such a service would prove one of the best paying propositions the Auckland City Council could undertake in tramway enterpriee. While reighbouring boroughs were almost entirely built upon, Mount Albert, said Mr. Bennett, had " still much land to bo possessed." In ten years from now, ,'b.«i added, the district would still Ibe growing. It was peculiar in the sense that it embraced quite a number of small dairy farms. A large volume of traffic passes through Kingsland daily and there are reasonable expectations of it becoming a thriving business centre, resembling somewhat the neighbouring thoroughfares of Karanijahape Road and the top of Symonds Street. , In parks and reserves the district is well off. Eden Park is in the borough and) a splendid reserve of several acres is situated on the summit of Mount Albert, with football and other playing areas. There is also a small reserve at Morningside.