ACCESS TO ORAKEI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20869, 11 May 1931, Page 11

ACCESS TO ORAKEI.

LIGHTING NEW ROADWAY.

THAMES EMBANKMENT MODEL. PROGRESS OF GARDEN SUBURB. The lighting of the Waterfront Txoarl, to be carried out shortly, is to he on the lines of the lighting of the Thames Embankment, London. "It will he an exhibition job," said Mr. T!. 11. Bart ley, general manager of the Auckland Power Board. In preparation for the work a. considerable amount of cable, has beon laid, and the fittings, all of British manufacture, have been ordered. It is anticipated that they will arrive in about two months' time, and the work of installation will occupy a similar period.

The lamps, which will be of tho Holophane glass globe type, will bo erected on special standards on tho harbour sido of the road, the width of the footpath from the sea-wall.

The Tower Board is finding the capital involved in the installation, and will be responsible for the maintenance, in return for which the City Council will be charged a rental. It is probable that at least half the length of tho Waterfront Eoad will bo lighted and that smaller fittings will be used at the St. Heliers Bay end. However, that is a point the City Council has yet finally to decide. Popular Marine Drive. Since the new roadway was opened for traffic the marine drive has proved very popular, particularly at week-ends. The road has been open for traffic from Campbell's Point to Hobson Bay for nearly 18 months, but it was only recently that the bridge at Hobson Point was completed. The St. Heliers buses have been using the new routo since Anzac Day, and the Orakei bus service was inaugurated at the same time. The latter innovation is expected to have an important effect in hastening the residential development of the new suburb.

Hitherto the few residents at Orakei have had to arrange their own means of transport, and there was a reluctance to settle there until a regular service was provided. Even when there was a family motor car the vehicle was essential for the transport of the business man to and from his work in the city, and the women were more or less isolated. Tu view of the financial stringency, more than the. provision of a bus service is required to encourage further building at Orakei. However, those in touch with the development of the garden suburb are inclined to take the optimistic view, and to predict that the spring will witness brisk building activity at Orakei.

Home-builders at Orakei., Already about 18 or 20 houses have been built at Orakei. Indeed, it has been the scene of the busiest building activity in the city in recent months, for in most suburbs the erection of homes recently has been brought virtually to a standstill because of the economic stress.

One city architect stated on Saturday that his firm had the drawing of plans in hand for several prospective Orakei residents, and he judged that in several instances building would shortly be started. Action is being delayed meantime until the decision of the Arbitration Court, in regard to wages is announced. A reduction in labour costs will be a distinct incentive to section-holders to proceed with their home-building operations. Not a great deal of activity can be expected until the winter months are over, but with the coming of the spring and a brightening in the financial outlook he development, of Orakei suburb is expected to proceed rapidly. . . , About one-third of the Orakei subdivision is now available for settlement, the rest being still unloaded. In the area available about, half the sections have been sold. It is unlikely, therefore, that serious attention will be given to the development of the remainder of the aiea until the sections still available ,u the roaded sector have been disposed of.

Planting of Trees Urged. A magnificent, vista, taking in the whole sweep of the harbour and stretching away to the islands of the gulf, is t J be" had from the heights of Orakei. Jhe city itself takes on a new and refres lung aspect from that vantage point. Iheie are no confining hills to shut 011 ■ sun. It. may truly be said that at Oiakei every prospect pleases, and little imagination is needed to visualise th* .certain residential growth which shortly will take Pl One*'point of criticism, however, was made by a frequent visitor to the new charn^' im pa rt fid o^manv'°of .■sr.hS would be Wise at, Orakei. In a numbe. heater scale should' be undertaken there in the very near future.