PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16454, 5 June 1919, Page 3

PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

IMPROVEMENTS DESIRED

A meeting of members of the Spotswood and Omata Progressive Association was held at the residence of Mr. D. J? Hughes, on Wednesday evening, when nine members were present. The chair was occupied by Mr. D. J. Hughes. The chairman, who in opening the meeting, said that the association had been dormant for four years, owing to the war, as at such a period it was not considered consistent to pay attention to anything apart from the one great object—to win the war. That had been accomplished, and now the association felt that it was justified in turning its attention to the advancement of the suburbs. There were several questions of importance to he considered, such as the extensions of the electric lighting system, water supply, and trams. Also the metalling of the main South Road from the council’s boundary to the tram line.

After a short discussion tho following resolution was passed: ‘ ‘That this meeting of Spotswood and Omata residents respectfully ask the New Plymouth Borough Council to metal the main road from the boundary to the tram lino, as tho present conditions of the road is dangerous to human life. In tho opinion of this meeting the Borough Council has committed a breach in good order and that the council be reminded that'this piece of road is carrying the most and heaviest traffic of any road in the province.” The chairman was authorised to confer with Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., ro an unexpended Government subsidy of £IOO. Such sum'being insufficient to carry out tho work on the South Road, an increase of the amount be asked for.

Touching upon the extension of the electric light system the chairman said that every endeavour must be made, to get the' council to extend the light to Spotswood, in fact the district must have it. If tho council would not do it, then the settlers must consider n private scheme. There was also the matter of the extension of the trams to the suburbs to claim attention. Spotswood and Omata contained the best suburban land in the district, and tho places wore growing very fast. He knew of one man who was about to build seven bouses at Spotswood. There would, he.felt sure, bo no difficulty in raising £SOO amongst the settlers, for tho extension of the trams to the district. If the council wished to see the suburbs progress they would have to pay more attention to them. Mr. C. 'Warren said that they continually heard the cry of the congestion of the towns and cities, and it was only by local bodies paying more attention to tho requirements of the suburbs that the people could be induced to-live there. To ask the council to extend the water supply to Spotswood, lie feared, would be a very expensive undertaking, said the chairman. In his opinion a very good supply could be obtained from Mace’s Crock, and at very little cost. It would' pay local residents to put in rams and thus obtain individual supplies. He (the speaker) was contemplating doing so. There wa? only the slight initial .cost to face, and then there was an end to it-

On the motion of Mr. C. Warren, seconded By Mr. W. Barnett; the following resolution was passed: “That tliis meeting 'of Spotswood l residents urge upon the Now Plymouth Borough Council to at once , appoint an expert committee who shall have power to deal with the issue of all licenses to motordrivers,. and that this meeting is of opinion that insufficient care has been exercised in the past in granting such licenses.” Messrs. D. J. Hughes. J. Roulston, and A. Fenwick were appointed a committee to wait on the Borough. Council re the extension of the electric light to Spotswood, and the erection of lamps along the road. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.