THE CITY BEAUTIFUL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 3

THE CITY BEAUTIFUL

MR NORWOOD’S IDEAS CAMPAIGN OPENED LAST NIGHT A “GO-GETTER.” With a survey of the city at large and of civic affairs, Air C. J. B. Norwood, non-party candidate for the Mayoralty, opened his electoral campaign in tho Concert Chamber last evening. A “go-getter” was how Air John Hutcheson, chairman at Mr Norwood's meeting, referred to the non-party' candidate. Air Norwood, the citizens’ champion, was a man of tenacity and strength of purpose. He had tho ability to say no, but also the ability to say yes. He had fathered the milk scheme which had given the city pure milk, and he had the abilit.y to do much tnoro yet. The geographical position of Welling ton* coupled with its fine commercial harbour, said Air Norwood, made the city the natural distributing centre of New Zealand, and given fair opportunities for development there might be reasonably anticipated a population of from 200.000 to 225.000 in 20 years’ time. If this were true it would be found that large sums would be absorbed during the period to provide for the increased population, and the increased business which would ensue. Much of this expense undoubtedly would have been saved had the city fathers in the past been more far-see-ing. The most sound way in which to proceed was to have a comprehensive plan of the city prepared; sufficiently comprehensive to provide for a population which may he reasonably be expected in the years to come. FOR THE FUTURE This plan would have regard to provision for inlets and outlets to the city to servo the greatest call which could bo made upon them. Also the recasting of many of the main city blocks, particularly tho Te Aro flat from Willis street to the Basin Reserve. Also the Clan should take into consideration the eautifying of the city, including a proper and general layout of the Town Belt. Such a plan would call for the best brains of the community, and he was satisfied that Wellington was well served ,in this connection. Leading architects, engineers, and business men were ever ready to give service to the city, and he certainly would enlist their support and co-operation in the preparation of any plan intended to carry out the scheme.

After his return from a trip abroad he had discussed the importance of recasting the Te Aro flat. This was an enormous scheme, but one, he thought, which could be carried out without bearing at all on the rates of the city. The increased land available for business sites, increased frontages and greater value, would repay the whole cost of carrying out the work. In his opinion there should be better co-operation between the public bodies that controlled Greater Wellington. He did not think it the business of one to interfere in the domestic policy of the other, but there were many matters of common interest having for their object the advancement of the city’s interests which these bodies should be heard on. He was in favour of good streets. The dust nuisance alone must be grappled with if they were to have a healthy city. He regretted only that the provision of the roading loan covered 20 miles of streets and no more, which meant that many important city thoroughfares must be resurfaced and maintained out of revenue at enormous annual expenditure. CREDIT TO THE CITY Tramways were the largest trading department that the council possessed, and in many respects it was a department of which tne city might well be proud. The cars were kept clean and the staff was obliging. There were, however, phases of it which must receive the closest possible attention There had been no time in the history of Wellington when attention to finance was so important. Overhead expenses must be kept down, and non-paying extensions could not be considered. It was a fact that all of the world tramwaysl were more or less in financial difficulties. In 15 towns in England losses were made on their electrical tramways, ranging from £4OOO to £63,000, while the London County Council had estimated its loss at £576,000. He did not anticipate that there was any immediate danger of a deficit in the local system, but there was a commercial side to the undertaking, and this should receive the closest possible attention. There was a tendency at times to continue a policy which had outlived its usefulness, and he thought that it could fairly be said that they had an excellent example in Auckland. Jn Auckland the system of charges and fares had been completely recast, and the new scale probably would afford tho cheapest long distance service in Australasia. There was a business side to the change-over which should be gone into very carefully. Eventually the city would have- a complete hydro-sup-ply. AVhen this was accomplished Evans Bay would be a stand-by station The boilers there would be so equipped that they could be fitted for oil fuel, and in this event a judicious use of the plant would serve to cut down tho peak load and do away with the only reason for the objections to the radiator. This would also servo to remov’e the smoke nuisance, of which the Evans Bay ratepayers were making bitter .complaints at the present time. MILK SUPPLY The capital now invested in. the city milk department was £95,425. This had produced to citizens an asset which could not he measured in pounds sterling. The department had to contend with great difficulties. The who had threatened to leave tho city without milk had planned by every means to secure advantages not available to farmers supplying cities where there, was no municipal enterprise. The management and staff of the department were most capable, and given anything like the chances available to a private trading concern, the city need have no fear that they would be overcharged for this most important of all foods. Finally, the internal management of the city should receive attention. Afanagers of departments should bo, encouraged to completely manage their own departmental affairs. Departments must co-operate for the common good, and officers given full personal credit for what they did. The speaker was very well received, and was given a. vote of thanks.