AUCKLAND CRITICISED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18277, 19 December 1922, Page 10

AUCKLAND CRITICISED.

STREET NAMES REPEATED.

HOUSE NUMBERS INVISIBLE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday.

Mr. William Alexander, of 21, Prospect Street, Ponsonby, writes as follows to to-day's Press:—"lt would be a distinct kindness to convey in your columns an emphatic warning to Christchurch folk who contemplate visiting Auckland during the ensuing holidays. Many of the vast natural advantages the city and suburbs enjoy are much discounted by the silly repetition of street names.

" There is obtainable a meagre sheet map with no index to streets. Even such would be of little use to strangers, there being a multiplicity of streets, avenues, and roads of tho same name in each suburb. But few of the streets have any name board or other signification to guide the visitor.

" That is confusing enough, but to add to this dilemma not a single number is to be seen on gates, all being shrouded under verandahs, and it is impossible to see them from tho roadway at night. Matchlight or torch affords the only clue to find any address sought. The inquirer incidentally runs the risk of being mistaken for a burglar, or illegally on privato premises. " Auckland may merit tho title of the 1 Queon City,' but visitors are more prone to remember it as ' the city of numberless houses and nameless streets.' Hence, intending visitors will bo well advised to get accurate and detailed directions as to the locality when calling on friends, and should be well versed as to which tram to take.

"As an example, there aro no less than four Prospect Streets, distinguished as street, avenue, road and « terrace, while other names aro subject to the samo repetition, though miles apart. One would welcome a Gunson Street, Savage Avenue, Bartram Terrace, and Massey Road."