Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 108, 8 May 1936, Page 6

Public Opinion

ADVANCE WANGANUI Sir, —One of the surest indications of progress in any community is the amount being spent from year to year in alterations and additions to the buildings in each community. In this respect Wanganui does nc-t stand comparison with other centres. Why? .It cannot be denied that Wanganui has amenities second to no other city in the Dominion. Its educational facilities are far ahead of any other city of its size. The number of bankruptcies reported in the past six years of abnormal depression are very light. a> compared with other cities/ Its scenir attractions within the radius of 15 miles of the city are unparalleled. Hut gaze over the view to be obtained, say, trotiL trie D.I.C. tearooms and vou will see one of the reasons why \fanganui | is not as prosperous as it should be. The vista of rusting iron root's, of fall ing cover boards, leaking spouting and downpipes, and an air of general neglect, is typical the extaordinary apathy evinced by our residents Io the value of. a coat uf paint, and the danger of wholesale damage caused bv faulty plumbing. There are man'v premises where a few pounds spent now may be the means of saving large repair bills later on. If of property would take immediate steps to carry out necessary painting and repair work, the city ’ would be brightened up, employment for mon at their regular trades would brighten up their lives, and business generally would brighten up by reason of the extra money put into circulation. I am aware that what I have written is no new idea, but a timely reminder of the dangers of delay in such matters mav cause some owners of property to pro- ' tect their own in vestments. Another old idea, which, if carried into effect, may help to bring Wang.i nui back to its former prosperous sin e. is the encouragement of outside people to come to AVanganui and the; homes here. We have large areas of land in the city owned by the Ci v Council and the Harbour Board whic’’ being vacant, are not making any cjiifibution to the linances ( .f th bodies. Why cannot those piope Les be offered in quarter-acre sections fr v e of charge for a period of years to an> person willing [j build a home thereo-i. As soon as the new owners take over their sections rates would be pava'ile and then the City Council ami the Harbour Board would receive adPtional ■ revenue to case oui henvv rate lor Jen. ’Che ediicnt ionol lit i i-s tiiiic in \\anq r :uiii icne never inaoi e\ploite.l sullieieilllv j■,pinion and ; Gwe. V. Ill: the many mi ic mil unties «c enjoy, shuuld make Wanganui . a very attractive residential eitv. Th«: : cheap house section idea as mentioned i above would doubtless cause many peiple With limited enpital lo conic ( fro-in other, parts, especially those with children of school ttge.—l. ani, etc ( ‘' JACK HlJ’Nt''” .