GROWTH OF TAKAPUNA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 11

GROWTH OF TAKAPUNA.

YEAR OF MARKED PROGRESS. ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS. THE COMING OF ELECTRICITY. Of all the boroughs around Auckland, Takapuna has furnished, in its existence of 12 or 13 years, one of the best examples of rapid development. Last year saw greater progress in the evolution ol its public works schemes than any previous year. That, of course, was the natural sequel to the authorisation by the ratepayers of the necessary loans and the appointment of a skilful engineer to direct their expenditure.

Road construction, sewerage reticulation, and the laying of new waiermains have been the principal features of the year's operations. Twelve months ago the permanent construction of the main road in concrete was not much more than begun. To-day, the work has been completed from Belmont to Hauraki Road, and again from the Takapuna Post Office to Milford. A small section between Belmont and the Devonport boundary is in course of construction, and another stretch of less than three-quarters of a mile between Hauraki Road and the Strand, now in bitumen, is to be re-formed in concrete within the next few months. When these jobs are completed modern formation will extend from Devonport Wharf to the far end of Takapuna. Owning, as it does, excellent scoria quarries, the municipality is particularly well equipped for carrying out such operations efficiently and economicallv. . „

The real front door of Takapuna, however, is at Bayswater. Here extensive improvement works have lately been taken in hand under a scheme in which the Takapuna Borough Council, the Auckland Harbour Board and the Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company have each its separate part. The plan provides for the widening of the land approach to the wharf to something like three times its present width. It involves cutting down the outer portion of the Bayswater bluff and the utilisation of the spoil so obtained for a reclamation that will enable the tramway company to increase materially its provision for the convenience of its passengers. Extensive Concrete Work. The contract for the removal of the bluff, at a cost of £4470, was lately let by the Borough Council, and the work is now in progress. Meanwhile the council has lowered and formed in concrete half the width of Marine Parade—the slope leading up from the wharf into Bayswater—and, when the tram line has been, shifted into the middle, it will lower and concrete the "other half. King Edward Parade, (he long thoroughfare which connects Marine Parade with Lake Road, is also being concreted for its full length, thus giving Takapuna an independent concrete road outlet. Great progress lias been made in the sewerage reticulation. With regard to the water service, a work important 'to the inhabitants is the laying of a new 4in. main from the Takapuna Post Office around the back of the lake, in replacement of an old one which the borough inherited from the Waitemata County. On the general question of obtaining a source of water supply, apart from Pnpuko Lake, the Borough Council has associated itself with the proposal to form an Auckland Provincial Water Board looking, to Taupo as a possible ultimate source of supply. Takapuna's fire brigade has come into vigorous operation in the year. Although equipped with only a first-aid plant, it has on more than one occasion proved itself a useful corps. The municipal band is also much in "evidence, resplendent just now in new uniforms. Material to the safe utilisation of the borough's fine ocean beaches is the recent formation of a lifesaving club at Milford, for which the borough has erected a temporary lookout, and also provided, a surf-boat and Jife-saving. reel. Similar provision in regard to Takapuna beach is promised. A New Recreation Ground. Acquisition of a new recreation ground has been decided upon. The council is subdividing its'Taharoto Road Park, nine acres in extent, into building sections, and has secured an option over the Smith's Bush property, on Northcoto Road, 34 acres, • comprising a considerable area of natural bush," besides land suitable for playing grounds. Building operations have been active during the year. The number of building permits issued by the borough authorities was 211, providing for an estimated expenditure of £106,200. Most important to the future of Takapuna is the coming to the district of electric power. It has been promised that the Government will be" ready to furnish current next September, and the Waitemata Power Board is taking steps to reticulate the district in the meantime, in order to effect its distribution. Upon this depends, besides the lighting of streets and houses, the electrification of the tramways. The provision by the Takapuna Tramways and" Ferry Company of its fine new steamer Lake Takapuna greatly improved the conditions of across-harbour traffic, and with the present holiday season the company has instituted a service at halfhour intervals practically from early in the morning to late at night. The company has also supplemented its tramway service by motor-buses on the route between Bayswater and Milford. An enterprising opposition motor-bus service along the concrete main road to Devonport has given the Takapuna residents an alternative connection with the city. What the developments will be when electric power is available to the tramway company remains to be seen.