Mr G. A. Monk Foresees Great Development

Chronicle (Levin), 4 March 1946, Page 8

Mr G. A. Monk Foresees Great Development

'Tt i& as well, before looking into the future, to^ view matters in retrospect a little," said Mr. G. A. Monk, ehairman of the Horowhenua County Council and Horowhenua Power Board, when.interviewed by a "Chronicie" representative last week in regard to the future of the Horowhenua district as he sees it. As one who has been a lead'er in the district's public body affairs over the last 30 years, and under whose able leadership and sound guidance the operations of two of its principal local bodies have flourished most strikmgly, Rfr •Monk's observations will be read with interest. . " '

. "We go baqk to the beginning of the war — September, 1939," said Mr. Monk. "Development in this district has been one of steady progress, the greatest agricultural aua ^astoral aavance taking place on che Makerua Plains, and in a lesser degree the light lands on the outar Levin — Foxton Road. BotL areas have been brought from a more or less virgin stars to a high degree of productivity, the results being most creditable to those coneerned. "Residentially, outside of the boroughs, most progress has taken place at our seaside resorts, with the greatest advance being made at Paekakariki, Paraparaumu ana. Waikanae Beaches. With the outbreak of war and the later tenst period in tnis country of 1942-43-44, matters outside of defence requirements came to a standstill, and the aetivities of our local bodies were confined principally to maintenance. "The war, now happily over, what of the future? Our district, fortunately situated in close proximity to greater Wellington, whose southern boundary is sea-girt, is-the nsarest from v/hich they will draw practically all the. perishabie articles needed to life — milk, meat, fresh vegetables, eggs, poultry, fresh flowers, etc. Much has already been accomplished — vegetables from the gardens to the marts, milk from the farm to the distributing ant treating depots and meat from the paddock to the butcher's block, aii within a few hours. We have the land, the climate and the geo graphical position, and this market is oeing fostered and expanded. The Local Bodies' Part "So much for our natural advantages," concinued Mr. Monk. "What part can our local bpdies play? The Horowhenua Power Board can make electricity available as far as possible over the whols area at a rate that it is economical to use for all purposes — heating, lighting and power — and be in a position to supply it without restriction. This nowever, does not appear possible before 1948-49. The Board is now making provision to dunlieate and strengthen many of the trunk lines made necessary as a result of thincrease in lo§,dt. This will enable us :o handle the heavier'load when restrictions are removed, and also .o minimise line losses in. transmisas far as possible. The Board will also need to be able to supply all e'quipment nefcessary in expan'm. and to be in a position to keep this equipment maintained and in use. Influx of Visitors "It is also imperative," proceeded Mr. Monk, "owing to the sudden influxes of population during holiday periods to our seaside resorts. rnd the district generally, and the .onsequent high peak loads, that teps be taken in the near future to *et ccntrol of some portion of the load. This is in the course of being attended to. "The Board is, of course, in a position to supply any industrj seeking establishment in this district, and is at all times ready anc willing to discuss terms with prospective industrialists. "In passing I wouid like to menJon that the original design and ay-out of the Horowhenua scheme vf electricity distribution has served hii district very well for over 20 /ears, and I think it is now wise hat we make provision for the. expansion that will take place durng the next 20 years. In the main the scheme as designed by Mr. T. i. Overton will stili be in opsration . mt- the building up of the beach' -owns and added population in *ome borough areas makes changee nevitable, such as the secon'd poinf. )f supply we now have at Paraparaumu. T pading Development "The- parent local body of this district, the Horowhenua County Council, can in the future, as in &he pasti, play a most important part in the development which is to come," said Mr. Monk. "Its respon'hivty for access roads, bridges, water races, traffic control, etc., haL been well attended to in the past. "The future will call for a rapid development in the form of permanent surfacing of such of our district roads as the density' of traui warrants. It will be found with more petrol available that we have a greater density of traffic than now xists. Apart from the many adv^n■^ages which accrue to the traveller ind his vehicle, plus the comfort, n the uitimate such work is econimic. "Should the Government adopt a recommendation of the Parliamentary Commlttee on Local Government, this county will be relieved. of the loan raised some years ago ,o construct and pave our main highway, how a State highway. A similar amount of money ' made available would go a long way towards laying a permanent surface on most of our more important. district roads. I have long been an advocate of this type of roading, *

and trust we ma,y be able to carr it into effect." Planning Needed Asked about industries, Mr. Monk said ir was important that in th. near future a degree of plaimin_ reeeive considerauen. By that ht uieant that the question of where industries should oporate wouk nave to be settled. "Those industries which are likel., to create a nuisance, especialiy ii. residential and built-up area. should have suitable areas aliotto-. to them," he eontinued. "In thi matter of extra urban planning, i will be necessary for close co-opera tion between the internal borough and tne county. Many Other Matters "There are many other matters calling for ccnsideration and actioi. in tne near future," Mr. Monk said. "Our beach settlenients anc villages throughout the county will from time to time seek the amen ities necessary to closety-settled areas, such as water, foctpath; street lighting and public coven - iences. "May I also say that there ars many aetivities of ths State to-da^ which could be undertaken by th resident local bodies, with mutua beneht to all coneerned. Catcliment Boards "The catchment boards, operatinr under the Soil Conservation anc Rivers Control Statute, will eventually have a big job of work, a mos important work and with a farreaching effect. At present there i some impatience being shown because results are not already evi dent. The work cails for carefi planning in the first instance, and chen can only be carried out a funds are available. "Soil conservation and rivers ccr trol has hecome very ' much - •national work, and as such, aparf from direct betternient, must become a chargq on the State After all, the man with a job in the town is just as much dependent, ir this country at least, as the mar on the land for th'e necessity o. saving our soils. V/hm our land cease to prcduce our cities wiF perish. "There are many advusate to-day of residential commuiph centres in rural areas, and prob ably some aspects are commendable. In the main, however, an: particularly in a district given ove mostly to dairying, it would not br satisfactory. Rural Aspect Changed -"Much of our rural isolation o:" the past has gone. Electricity wireless, telephone, good roads sm quick means of transioort have ehanged the picture and also thT outlook of the- rural dweller. In the early years of this century, anc earlier, the rural dweller was conTidered to be behind the times often described as 'from the cpun try' and, to some extent at least, tf need protection. That is not tlr picture we see to-day. We now fine' the rural dwreller of independen' spirit, well versed in matter national ancl international. keei but fair in business transaction' broadminded and, above all, ; master of his job. "The foregoing 1; ids me t ' believe that rnany of those attract ed to urban life in the last fe^ years will in the near future retu-*1 to the land, and this country wil then enjoy a real prosperity. "I would like to pay a tribute •: past and present members of ou iocal bodies." said Mr. Monk, i* -onclusion. "They have given r their time and talents fresly an' willingly, and often under uudr^erved criticism, ' their one desir being to promote the pruder advancement of Horowhenua, on' M the fmest and most favourc areas in New Zealand."