GROWTH OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21111, 19 February 1932, Page 10

GROWTH OF AUCKLAND.

CITY OF MANY ATTRACTIONS

WIDE EXPANSION OF SUBUFto

PRESS DELEGATES IMPRESSED,

The development in Auckland during the past few years has made a very favourable impression upon tlio representatives of the newspapers of New Zealand who have spent 1 lie past week in the city attending the annual conference of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association. As the result of a round of entertainments, which included trips on the harbour and motor ..drives, they have been able to see a good deal of the city and its surroundings, and some of them who have not visited Auckland for a year or two expressed their surprise at the growth and general improvement that has taken place.

"1 have been amazed at the enormous improvement that has taken placo in Auckland," said Mr. C. W. Earle, of Wellington, the president of the association. "I was particularly struck with the roading development, and I am sure that nowhere in New Zealand do the roads compare with Auckland's concrete highways for smoothness and easy running. It is a pleasure to spin along these fine pavements and to see the variety of scenic attractions that they open up. I found it difficult to get a true conception of the real extent of the city by day owing to the many hills and cones, and it was not until I viewed the city by night from Mount Eden that I was able to realise, by the carpet of lights spreading out into the distance in all directions, how Auckland had spread from its natural centre."

Tribute to City Traffic. The advantage of fast-moving traffic was one of the things that impressed Mr. Earle. This was especially noticeable in Queen Street, where the speed of vehicles prevented congestion of traffic. The adherence of foot traffic to the marked lines, which he attributed to studied control by the traffic department, seemed to have the effect of permitting a greater flow of pedestrian traffic in otherwise congested places. He also observed that foot traffic crossed the busy streets with an absence of the "jay-walking" that occurred in some of the southern towns, a feature that could well be copied elsewhere. "There is no doubt Auckland stands out as against the southern cities," said Mr. A. M. Burns, of Christchurch, who spoke enthusiastically of Auckland's progress. He was particularly struck with the spread of the attractive suburbs with their comfortable homes, and the seaside facilities available to the residents. The use made of the harbour and the gulf beyond impressed him, and it was only as the result of a launch trip to Moluihi Island last Sunday that he was able to realise the vastness of the Auckland fleet of yachts and pleasure launches. Mr. Burns thought that the parks and roads were a credit to the city, and he expressed admiration of the War Memorial Museum. He doubted whether there was anything in New Zealand to compare to the larger picture theatres and public institutions. Mr. Burns also had a word to say about the up-to-date nature of the newspaper offices in Auckland. They were organised in a way that made for efficiency all through, and while most of the southern newspaper plants were modern, they were not run on nearly such a large scale as those in Auckland. Beautiful City and Harbour. The many attractions of Auckland were referred to by Mr. R. J. Gilmour, of lnvercargill, in the course of his address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon to the press delegates at Milne and Choyce's Reception Hall yesterday. Mr. Gilmour said he did not know why such a long time had elapsed since the last meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association in Auckland. He thought perhaps the explanation was that there were so many attractions in this fine city that the delegates might find it difficult to devote the time they should to the business of the conference.

"We will carry away from Auckland very many impressions of your city and your harbour," he said. "1 say your harbour, but it is a New Zealand harbour. We are all very proud of it, and envy you the possession of it." He indulged in a little pleasantry at the expense of the humidity experienced during the past few days, but said the temperature that was provided for the comfort or otherwise of the visitors was exceeded only by the warmtji of the hospitality of the people of Auckland. He also added a comment on the industry and voracity of the Auckland mosquitoes. Fortunately, although somewhat deep, these impressions were not lasting ones. They would disappear and be forgotten, and the visitors' recollections of the courtesies and hospitality that were extended to them would remain vividly in their memories.