ORAKEI SUBURB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22859, 14 October 1937, Page 15

ORAKEI SUBURB

PEIVATE BUILDING MORE HOUSES COMMENCED GOOD TYPE OF HOMES GROWTH OF COMMUNITY The Government's housing scheme at Orakei has tended to distract attention from the settlement' that is taking place over the major part of the garden suburb, in pursuance of the original plan. Although private building has been checked in some degree during the past year, Orakei is still making progress. Three two-storeyed timber houses are in course of erection in Paritai Drive and one in Kepa Road, not far from the Orakei Bridge. The site for a further house in the drive is being levelled, and a brick bungalow on the seaward side, overlooking Okahu Bay, is almost ready for occupation. The newer houses are all of the good type that has been usual in the suburb since the first homes were erected there. There is plenty of variation in styles, which range from the modernistic, with white or cream walls and roof concealed by a parapet, to the deliberate picturesqueness of gables and half-timber-ing. Along Paritai Drive particularly there are substantial brick houses of two storeys, such as can be matched in few Auckland residential districts except Remuera.

Development of Gardens In nearly ever}' case homes have been well designed to fit their sites and to take the fullest advantage of the sunshine and fine views over the harbour. The development of gardens varies according to the length of tijne individual occupiers have been in possession. It is early yet to expect much growth of trees, shrubs and hedges, but there has been much planting, and before many years Orakei will be as well embowered in greenery a* any other Auckland suburb. The large average size of sections has tended already to the development of landscape gardening, although not many owners of large sites have yet been able to do all that they would wish. Some of the smaller properties, however, have lawns and flower beds that give them a very settled air. Gangs of City Council workmen are engaged in sealing the surfaces of several streets and forming footpaths. The latter are provided with a small raised concrete kerbing on the inner side, apparently to prevent plants from encroaching and causing damage. School and Shops Probably it will not be long before Orakei develops a community life of its own. The public school, which is to be erected on a fine site 'in Coates Avenue, across the road from the Government houses, will contribute to this. A football ground is being levelled on the school property, and a recreation reserve south of Fenton Circus is available for later development. According to the original plan, the much-disputed fiat on which the Maori village stands is set apart for sports grounds, being deemed unsuitable for building. Any changes that may be made there, however, belong to the future. In the meantime it may be expected that when the Government houses are occupied good provision will bo made somewhere for tennis, possibly in the school grounds. The diocesan authorities contemplate building an Anglican church or church hall when the population warrants, and it may be regarded as certain that a shopping centre will begin to develop in Fenton Circus. In due course Orakei will no doubt possess a post office, a library, a hall for dances and other gatherings—in fact, all the usual suburban amenities.