THE CITY’S NEEDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10898, 12 May 1921, Page 4

THE CITY’S NEEDS

EX-MAYOR’S FINAL WORK * INCREASING PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS. FORWARD POLICY URGED. Attending yesterday what he called his own funeral —the installation of the new Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright)— Mr J. P. Luke had some interesting remarks to say about the needs of the city and his hopes for the fnture.UNITY URGED. “The city will never be the great metropolitan, area we wish to sfee it,” remarked Mr J- P. Duke, the lati Mayor, at the installation ceremony yesterday, “if we permit affairs to be carried on year by year by a multiplicity of small local governments, which ought to be centralised into one metropolitan body.” The sooner steps were taken —and he had already done something in the matter —to bring about the amalgamation of Petone and Wellington, the better it would be fot both. The inclusion of Petone would be a great asset to the city. HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES. Of the next importance to the amalgamation question he regarded the hydroelectric scheme. In regard to commercial prosperity, it should be the aim of everyone to increase the trading operations of the port, especially with the southern centres of the South Island. It was incumbent upon every public man to do his bit, not only to make Wellington the supreme shipping centre, but especially to improve the important industries that were so necessary to progress and happiness. The people should be encouraged to establish secondary industries, increase the population and production, and sc maintain the general welfare. BETTER ACCESS TO CITY. He trusted the new council would take into serious consideration _ the question of improved railway facilities, for it was absolutely necessary that better access to the city, upon which its progress depended, should be provided. He hoped to see yet fulfilled in his lifetime what had been called ‘'Duke’s Romance”—the proposal he had advanced for the relief of traffic through the city, especially at * Stewart Dawson’s corner. Until the council entered into co-speration with the Harbour Board respecting the construction of a shipping dock at Wellington, the part would not receive the volume of trade it had a right to expect. TRIBUTE TO STAFF. . In conclusion, Mr Luke paid a tribute to the staff of the Cfity Oouncil. He had had eight years’ -experience of the corporation officers, he said, and he knew Them to be loyal and faithful servants of the city. The staff was one of the most capable in tips employment of any local body or governing body. At its head were men who could always be relied upon. He made reference in turn to the heads of the different departments, and particularly stressed the lengthy period of service of the city valuer (Mr James Ames), who had been in the council’s employ . for 51 years, and whose work was as much valued to-day ae when he had I first joined the staff. He hoped the j council would provide well for the staff, for the members deserved it. Ae far as the council’s employees were concerned, as long as they played the game and did their beet they would find the councillors would do the honourable thing for them.