ADDINGTON AGITATION

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18416, 24 June 1925, Page 5

ADDINGTON AGITATION

IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT. There was a mixture of euchre, dancing, end local politics at- the Oddfellows' Hall, Addington, last night, when Mr E. Parlane, a member of the Addington Burgesses' Association, referred to the neglected condition of the district as regards general improvements.

At its meeting last week the Association complained that the City Council neglected the district entirely, and oil Monday Cr. E. H. Andrews, chairman of the U*ork.s Committee of the City Council], replied, saying that money was spent on the Jerrold street I'eserve every year. Ho also stated that the ss.eets were no worse than tlrjse of any other district. He said that steady attention would be given t« tho streets so far as the money available would allow.

Last night the monthly euchre and dance were held iti tho Oddfellows' Hall, .Selwyn street, and Mr Parlane too]; the opportunity of appealing for more support for the Burgesses' Association.. The Association, he said, was formed in 1912. At that time Addington was one of the most neglected parts of CSnstchurch, and they felt that they must have an Association to help along tlu< welfare of the district. Since its inception the Association had done a great deal of improvement work. Included among the matters attended to were the post office clock, the band rotunda, and additions to tho library. They had also agitated for the widen nig of Jerrold street. ''But it seems as if the City Council goes to sleep in the middle of a job, sometimes," continued -Mr Parlane. "Addington has been making a name for itself lately, r.s you saw by the newspapers. Cf. Andrews commented on the matter, saying that Addington received just as good treatment as any other part of Christcliurch." But the City Council's balance-sheets shoved that that was not so. The other parts of Christthureh were a long way ahead of Jerrold street when the figures showing tho amounts spent on improvements wore studied. The speaker gave details of the suits spent in various parte of the city, and said: "The reserve is an absolute disgrace. (Hear, hear.) There is not a more dilapidated place in Christcliurch. The street channelling is bad, the roads are full of pot-holes, and in some parts grass is growing almost to the middle of the streets. And still nothing is done. We must organise, and secure more membership for the Burgesses' Association, and thus help to get justice. We must all l>3 interested in our own district, and we should get compensation for the raters we are paying. There is certainly not so much money spent on Addington as Addington residents pay in rates. Tho Council promised to put a sum on the estimates for the duplication of the librarv—and took it off again, the building being shelved. A £l3O lean-to was put.up and. contrasted with this. St. Mavtins liad £BOO promised for a librarv there." Mr Parlane concluded bv urging all to take a more lively interest in the Burgesses' Association, and give support to its work.