DURIE HILL TOO LONG “NOBODY’S BABY"

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 6

DURIE HILL TOO LONG “NOBODY’S BABY"

NEW ASSOCIATION KEEN TO HELP SUBURB •The time has long past since this suburb has been considered in civic affairs, and it would give the impression that Durie Hill and environs up to this juncture is nobody’s baby, in the municipal category,” said Mr. J. A. McFarland, at a meeting of Dune Hill residents held in the BadenPowell hall last Thursday, when the association was formed. One hundred residents attended the meeting, which was opened by the chairman, who explained the reasons and objects of calling a mass meeting of Durie Hill residents. Transport, children’s playground, Post Office and representation on the Council were commented on by the chairman as urgent matters to be discussed and negotiated for as amenities to the Durie Hill suburb, other urgent matters requiring immediate attention such as more lighting in the lift tunnel during blackouts, repairs to the hill steps and more service to streets and footpaths being touched on briefly. “It is high time that something tangible was done by the people of the hill in an effort to impress on the City Council the need for measures to extend to this expanding suburb facilities already in operation over other suburbs of the city," said the chairman. Mr. McFarland said that it was or vital moment that the population of Durie Hill form into an active body to embark on a campaign for the betterment of facilities for the suburb, and he hoped that an association, a body which would function independent of party or politics, and which would aim entirely for the support of the whole of the people in the effort to secure better services, would be wholeheartedly endorsed by the meeting. Mr. Ennis (secretary) touched briefly on the congestion at the elevator during rush hours, and the need for transport to serve the outer perimeter of the suburb. "A Post Office would be a great boon to people on the hill,” he said, “and would render a long-needed service in that line.” Speaking on the inadequacy of the lighting in the tunnel during the blackout periods, Mr. Partridge stated that pedestrians were obliged to grape their way in pitch darkness over the whole length of the tunnel. He instanced the fact that the council's staff consisted of only one man, who was required to attend to water tables, sumps, streets and footpaths over the whole suburb area. “An impossible task for one man to adequately cope with,” he said, "hence the deterioration of the Zig-Zag access and surfaces of gravelled streets and roads.” Mr. Hicks mentioned the efforts made previously by a section of the community for a children’s playground. He mentioned that nothing was heard of negotiations put in hand at that time. Mr. McGregor drew the attention ot ths executive to the drab state of the entrance td the Durie Hill lift. He suggested that something more imposing be constructed to become a more attractive entrance to the elevator access to Durie Hill. Mr. Singleton instanced the necessity of checking the excessive speed of heavy trucks in Portal and Durie Streets, as children were in danger of losing their lives by this menace. Elected as the executive were Messrs. Lyth, Tregurtha, Fletcher, Almond, Robbie, Hicks and Bones. The following ladies were nominated and declared elected to the newly-formed ladies’ social committee: Mesdames Tregurtha, Roscoe, Sherlock (2), Singleton, Ennis, Aiken, Hansel, Gregor, Hicks, McFarland, Robbie, Hucklesby, and Buckman and Misses Roscoe senior and junior. Mrs. Hansel was elected presideflt, and Mrs. Smith was elected secretary.