IMPROVING OUR TOWN.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 642, 17 June 1921, Page 7

IMPROVING OUR TOWN.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It has long been felt that something should be done towards the fostering of a more progressive spirit in this district and an initial move in this direction. was made on Friday evening last, when an informal meeting took- place in the Borough Council rooms with the object of foinxing one or more cf the following associations:—

1. An Expansion League. ' 2. A Town-planning and Beautifying Society.

3. An Arts and Crafts Society. The objects ih view would be as follows: —

1. Expansion League.—This, which would apply chiefly to the fanning and business community, would endeavour f

(a) ,To 'further by whole-hearted co-operation the advancement and deyeloppment of the district and the Dominion generally. (b) To create and foster in the mind of every man, woman and child in the district a spirit of national pride and enthusiastic interest in needs of all classes of the community. (c) To further the opening up, development and close settlement of our lands, and. to foster and encourage our pastoral,agricultural, fruit growing, and: other primary industries. (d) To encourage commercial enterprise. (e) To endeavour to secure a vigorous policy of afforestation, irrigation, railway extension, and

improved reading. (f) To secure improvements in postal, telegraph- and telephone facilities and in railway and other means of trahist.

(g) To develop and increase the. tourist traffic by improving accommodation and facilities for visitors, and increasing attractions such as healthful pastimes and winter sports. (h) To encourage town, planning on latest scientific lines, the improvement of the homes of the people and such other matters of vital importance to public health and ’ the comfort and well-being of the community, etc., etc.

2. Town Planning and Beautifying Society.—This, which would apply to the farming, business,, private and younger members of the community, would endeavour to- beautify the town and surrounding districts by (a) General tree planting in streets and hedges, (b) Annual competitions for the best kept gardens and properties, whether in town or suburbs. (c) The gradual getting together of a library on town planning, gardening, and of plans of houses of aU descriptions, such library to be free to-all citizens.

3. Arts and Crafts Society.—This, which would apply to the younger' members of the community would be for the encouragement of arts and crafts in all its branches, and could be worked in conjunction with the Technical. School. In the South Island great work has been done by similar bodies and if this matter were one© started in Pukekohe district I-feel sure that the district would make rapid progress which would, of course, spell; prosperity to the residents.

With regard to the town planning, our endeavour would be to supply ail information when it was asked for, to make a feature of Arbour Day. encourage people to plant trees on their own properties, and to keep the flower and kitchen gardens in order. Competitions giving small prizes, say. of £5, £3„ £2 and £JL for the best kept gardens could be instituted and by allowing the children to participate sound progress would be made.

Many a home lias been spoiled—it is even happening to-day—because the house has been wrongly placed on the property or the wrong class of house has been built, or no attention has been paid to the design so that the sun gets to the rooms tlxat most require it, and if we had a reference library of up-to-date plans of houses, these errors would be avoided, property would be more saleable and values would increase. This library would cost next to nothing and I am sure would be a great boon to everybody.

With regard to the Arts and Crafts Society, this could be worked in conjunction with the Technical School, and its object would be to endeavour to foster and teach the arts and crafts. In the event of nobody else being forthcoming I am personally prepared to give honorary instruction to a weekly evening class and to organise the Town Planning and Beautifying Society.

These subjects covers a wide range of objectives, but they are necessary to our prosperity, and as this district is wonderfully endowed by nature, I feel sure that with general co-operation we can, at very little exoense, enhance the value of our district out of all proportion to what it is at present. However, these are suggestions only and before calling a meeting I would like the matter discussed pro and con through the Times, so that an approximate opinion could be formeci an to the general public feeling.—l am, etc., ' H. H. PATTLE.