THE EXPANDING METROPOLIS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 28 June 1919, Page 6

THE EXPANDING METROPOLIS

The question of extending tho area of Greater Wellington was discussed in a commendable spirit of enterprise, .and foresight by...the Mayor and the representatives of municipal and other .areas adjacent to tho city at the meeting of the Hutt Bond Board on Wednesday. It is obviously in the interests of all conccrncd that everything possible should bo. done to accelerate ; the process ' of amalgamation between the city and outlying areas which are at present under separate control. Moreover, even where there are obstacles, to immediate amalgamation, it is very necessary that plans should be laid with an eve to the ultimate merging of control. A policy aiming at tho speediest possible creation of one great metropolitan area will not only make for efficient and orderly development, but will . facilitate highly important economies. Owing to the fact that they of necessity content themselves with staffs limied both in point of numerical strength and qualifications, small local bodies are badly placed to undertake works of any importance and are little likely to carry them out on the best lines or to the best advantage. Amalgamation offers a ready means of setting the highest standards, throughout the area to which it applies, in engineering and other activities in which'skilled technical direction is essential. Another good reason for hastening amalgamation, or, where that is not immediately possible, ail understanding preliminary to . amalgamation, is that there are great advantages to be derived from exercising some control over the subdivision of areas which are now unoccupied, or sparsely occupied, but are destined to become residential. The penalties which are invited by failure to exercise this , measure of foresight are visible on every hand, not only in' the congested heart of the city, but in its present suburban areas. They appear in sections unduly small, in the lack of open spaces, in roads and streets badly located and formed, and in various other ways. There should be no question of allowing such conditions to arise in districts where there is still an open proSpect of doing vastly better. While foresight is called for in preparing for the ultimate inclusion within the city boundaries of rural areas like the Makara County and others/ there are questions falling within the same general category which are of more immediate urgency. Already, tho community of interest'between the city and'adjacent boroughs is clearly emphasised, and the time is fully ripe for considering and dealing with the whole problem from a broadly comprehensive standpoint. The development of the Mangahao power-supply, of course, will strengthen the ense for amalgamation. All the local districts around the city are tailed upon to determine in time in what manner they will utilise the nower when it becomes available. The case manifestly is one for pooling and co-ordinating interests under an undivided central control. | It would be costly for all concerned to neglect tlie possibilities of coordination in this matter and tho accompanying benefits' in the way of economy in capital outlay and in operating costs. But even without this stimulus there are already ample incentives for the city and neighbouring boroughs, including Pctone and Lower Hull., to link up for the advancement ot their common interests. In spite _of its being separated from the city by the narrow foreshore which is traversed h.v the Hutt Road, the Hutt Valley is easily the most important and valuable of the- areas available to receive the expanding city popu-

lation. The intovesta of the boroughs established in the Valley are so completely identified with those of the city "that whole-hearted cooperation to the end of fully open, ing up this area ought to be easily arranged. The k'eal authorities concerned cannot more effectively advance matters beyond, their present stage than by unitedly concerting measures to overcome the opposition of the Railways .Department to the construction of a tramway along the Hutt Road. This, obviously! is a check in the healthy expansion of the city which ou.sht not to lie tolerated any longer. With the equipment now at its command or likely to be for many years to come, the Railways Department is quite incapable of providing sucb a service between the city and the Hutt Valley as would fully meet requirements in a period, of suburban expansion. The railways have .their own functions to perform, but so far as'the bulk of passenger transit over such a route is concerned an electric tramway would give a more frequent, more economical, and in every way more convenient service. The' dojf-in-the-mangcr attitude of the Railways Department ot'.ght to quicken and stimulate the comprehensive organisation which is necessary in order that the best dossibilitics of metropolitan development may be realised.