PROGRESSIVE PICTON.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 18, 6 March 1917, Page 5

PROGRESSIVE PICTON.

MAKING THE SOUNDS ATTRACTIVE

la the course of aa interview with a Christchurch pressman on the occasion of his recent visit, Mr G. J. Biddell, Mayor of Piaton, referred at some length to the forward policy which the people of Pioion have embarked upon. Recently, said Mr Riddell, the rate payers of Picton carried a loan, by a 6 to 1 majority, of £7OOO to install a hydro-electrical lighting scheme. The ‘ Borough Council’s electrical engineer is Mt E. J. Barnes, for many years engineer to the Heathoote County, is doing all the engineering work in connection with the electrical installation. The inner portion of the borough already possesses a drainage system, and it is now proposed to extend the scheme to the outlying portion. In a few days the ratepayers will be asked to vote on this scheme, which will involve an expenditure of between £BOOO and £IO,OOO. Mr Barnes has prepared the plans for the scheme. “ The reason why we are doing all this,” continued Mr Riddell, “is to encourage those who live in inland towns to coome and vis : t the Sounds, and the northern portion of what we consider is one of the finest provinces in the Dominion from the tourists’ and holidaymakers’ point of view. Wo have lately acquired from the Government, fur the sum of £6OOO, the water front of Ihe town, and we purpose planting botanical gardens and making it beautiful. We have very good hotel accommodation and a good road between Christchurch and Picton. I can testify to that because I have motored over it on several occasions. To-morrow morning we purpose leaving at 6.80 a.m., and we expect to be in Picton by 7.80 p.m. the same day. The trip has been done in ten hours on more than one occasion.” Mr Riddell added that there is a proposal to transform the present salt water baths at Pioton into tepid salt water baths.