LIVE CIVIC CENTRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18552, 9 November 1923, Page 4

LIVE CIVIC CENTRE.

STREET iMfpR^VEMENTS.

town PLANNING ACTIVITY.

CITIZENS' LEAGTO WORK.

The municipal problems created by.the rapid advance of Papatoefce ik& being courageously faced by the Town \Boatd. The roads already in existence are generally good, bat the increasing traffic, wally of motor vehicles, makes denft« l which the local authority is preparing ' ,*» meet. Already asphalt footpaths bord.V' the roads for distances that must be meaA siired in miles. 5 „._ .^ A scheme has been prepared for improving all the main intersecting roads. , Generally these are the connecting links between Papatoetoe'e two main arteries, the'' railway and the Great South Road. The engineer's plan provides for a total expenditure of £12,764 on the improvement of 281 chains of streets. Otahahu's proposal to concrete the 1£ miles of the Great South Road within its boundaries, has not' been lost upon Papatoetoe, its southern neighbour. H arrangements can be made for concreting this highway between Otahuhu and the Harp of f Erin, j Papatoetoe will be found ready to extend the white ribbon of concrete through its territory. As settlement is close at this end of Papatoetoe, the ' residents look forward tb>tha day when the\ road will ': be as important a lick with Auckland as the railway is at pesent. ' ' Another important civic assef\ is the Town Hall, handsome building niaar the railway station. It has proved ai great factor in the social life of the dfttrict and in promoting the community spirit. It is the centra for public meetings, danaes. socials, concerts, and pictures. The lcqa* amateurs have recently successfully stag a three-aot comedy, " Mr. Pirn Passess By," for the benefit of the Progressive League, and a crowded house gave a net : return of £60. "; ', _ '■ '■: v ■ . Community Services. ""The district is supplied with gas from a plant erected by the Auckland Gas Company. Electric light should be available within the next 12 months, Papatoetoe sharing in the extension of the Horahora scheme from the Waikato. / , 4 Other evidences of the community spirit are given in the Papatoetoe band, orchestra, dramatio society, literary debating society, and sports clubs of all kinds. Three churches minister to the spiritual needs of the district.-; The Presbyterian Church, recently erected in britfk at a cost of £5000, is a handsome edifice, expensively furnished, and worthy of. the historical associations that cling to wbe buildings that preceded it. '- /» ' Papatoetoe is particularly fortunate in possessing a large body of public-suited ! citizens. They are proud of their rown, | as well they might be j they are anxnpus for its wider recognition as an ideal resi- '. dential suburb they, are filled with tab : progressive spirit, but are watchful that* progress, should not destroy the district's original endowment of beauty. All this has found expression in the formation of a Progressive and Beautifuying League. Though not long formed, the • league has already a splendid record of achievement. 'Its singleness of purpose in working for the town's good has made its relations with the local authority of the most harmonious order. The two bodies are « co-operating in their ' several spheres toward a common goal— advance of Papatoetoe to the status of which it is worthy. Beautifying Work. The first task Of the league has been to beautify the approach to the town from the < railway. By means of working bees, unsightly hanks have been levelled and an avenue of trees planted. Earth is being obtained to top-dress this area for the sowing of grass. -On the opposite or western side of the station, .'a: railway reserve, at present in the roughs has been leased. It is to bo transformed by planting and ,sowing into another beautiy spot. j Street tree-planting is also planned by the league. The spirit <of enthusiasm in which the various sub-committees go about their tasks and the readiness on, the part j of members to undertake real hard work j in the common cause promises a : great harvest of accomplishment in the immediate- future. An important branch" of the league's' activities is the watching of Pa patoetoe's interests :in . the matter of railway service. Already certain improvements have I been effected, but the league will continue i to press for faster : and more frequent services until in point of time, convenience, [ and cost, the town is as close to Auckland as many of the suburbs now served by trams. ■■.'/' . v ,'■'•".' ■ ,; The reflex of this rapii* expansion residentiary is seen in the * building up of a real civic centre at Papatoetoe. -The need.'.; of so many new homes 'are being* catered for by 30 shops," an increase of ' 50 per cent, in the past year and of 400 per cent, in? ten years. A handsome two- . storey block of modern shops and offices, with hwo street frontages, is at present in course of erection near the railway station. Another \ retail centre is growing op, on the Main South Road. Two bank*- have established agencies in the town within the last year, and a fine town Rial! provides a community meeting plane for entertainments, socials and public functions!. Where there was : one motor garage five years ago, there is work for* three to-day, and in various other directions the services: required by a growing public community are met.