BETTER ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22853, 7 October 1937, Page 16

BETTER ROADS

CITY IMPROVEMENT ■" : _____ EASTERN SUBURBS BENEFIT EXPENDITURE FROM LOAN VERY 'EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS Much yaluable work is being done by the Auckland City Council in bringing many of the more important streets in the eastern seaside suburbs up to a modern / standard. When the areas formerly administered by the Orakei and TamAki West Road Boards came into the city by amalgamation they were sparsely populated and no very high standard had been reached in the formation of streets and footpaths. In the last few years there has been C-onsiderable building progress in the Mission') Bay. Kohimarama and St. Heliers districts, necessitating heavy expenditiire on the improvement to already formed roads and tho construction of/others which had reached only a primitive stage. Roads had been formed on the Orakei subdivision, but during the depression years it was not possible to do much to maintain them and most of them fell into a bad state. Road improvement work has now been attacked vigorously by the council in this area and in all sections well formed and sealed streets, with kerbed footpaths and concrete channels are coming into being. T7s» of Subsidised Labour Most of this work is being carried out by subsidised labour, the council's contribution to the cost coming out of the Streets Improvement Loan of £377,000, sanctioned by the ratepayers last year. A noticeable advance in the appearance of the streets can be seen in the old township area of St. Heliers Bay, where the streets running at right-angles to the waterfront road and others further from the main road and parallel to the beach have been transformed.

Previously in most of these streets there was a formed metal road with 6ides overgrown with grass and weeds and where they existed the footpaths were of indifferent quality. To-day these streets are formed and sealed and provided with wide footpaths, in many cases grass plots being planted between the path and the kerb. This work has altered the whole appearance of the township and has brought the whole of the surroundings into keeping with the modern homes which have been a feature of the development there. Work in Mission Bay Similar work is 'being done in Mission Bay, streets being improved on the attractive slope where much of the more recent building has _ taken place. Much construction work is now feeing done on Patteson Avenue, the •wide thoroughfare which runs up the centre of the Valley from the waterfront. New kerbing and channelling is being placed in position and heavy metalling is being done, preparatory to tar-sealing. Some of the side roads, such as Marau Crescent, have already been improved in this way and others are scheduled for early attention. There is a steadily expanding settlement on the high ridge behind Mission Bay which already deserves better access. Patteson Avenue will serve this area from the waterfront road, but the more direct route is along Kawau Street on the eastern edge of Hobson Bay and then via the old Orakei Road extension at the rear of the Orakei subdivision. Orakei Road and Faratai Drive

Council workmen are now engaged on preparations for sealing Orakei Road, the present operations including the adjustment of kerning, "the formation of channels and footpaths and the strengthening of the road bed. When sealed this road will not only Berve the southern portion of the Government housing settlement and the higher levels of Mission Bay, but will provide a convenient route for many residents on the high ground above Kohimarama. 1 Parafai Drive, which skirts the seaward edge of the Orakei. subdivision, has already become one of Auckland's show places and is a favourite- drive for motorists desiring to get a comprehensive view of the harbour and gulf. This is one of the main avenues in the Orakei block which is receiving attention and should be completely formed and sealed by the end of this year. Okahu Street, which gives access to the drive from the east, has already been treated and Tuhaere Street and several of the shorter streets in the area have also been treated. / ■