PROGRESS OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 13

PROGRESS OF AUCKLAND.

AN ENGINEER IMPRESSED.

CONCRETE ROAD WARNING.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday.

In giving some impressions of his recent visit to Auckland, where ho sat on the commission of inquiry in regard to the Western Wharf, Mr. Cyrus Williams said that the buses appeared to be very good for the people and to have made a marvellous difference in the amiability of the tramway staff. The competition had had a wonderful effect. The Auckland tramways, which, he said, were at one time the most churlish concern in tho Southern Hemisphere, were now most obliging and agreeable. Tho Auckland City Council appeared to be accepting the position, and instead of trying to stop tho buses running, was purchasing its own. Referring to roading, Mr. Williams said that while tho concrete streets were very pleasing to run on, ho saw enough to satisfy him that the concrete road could not be treated as a permanent structure, and would require an allowance for depreciation like other roads. Experience had not gone far enough yet, however, to enable 0110 to state what amount should bo estimated for this.

"People need not hug themselves in the delusion that once having built a concrete road there is an end to the matter." said Air. Williams. He expressed the opinion that tho buses woulii not be able to drive tho trams off the streets. They might pick the eyes out of the traffic, in the opinion of the tramway people, but the tramway people would have to put up with that. He did not see why the progress of a community should be held back just because one system of conveyance was already in existence. The general progress of Auckland city was very striking, Air. Williams said. Many improvements had been made.