King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 1912 TOWN PLANNING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 502, 21 September 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 1912 TOWN PLANNING.

The petition presented to Parliament last week on behalf of Te Kuiti residents, concerning the Tokipuhuki property voices the feelings of a large section of the community in respect to the important matter of town planning. It is to a certain extent immaterial that the exact request of the petition should be definitely adhered to, and in any case if Government action is inspired by the petition the authorities will naturally take their own methods of meeting tho wishes of the people. The iact that such a petition has been deemed necessary is striking evidence of the short-sightedness of those by whom the town was originally planned, and it is to be sincerely hoped if action ia taken as suggested the town extension will be framed in such a manner that the necessities of the public will be adequately provided for. To anyone holding reasonably optimistic views regarding the future of the Dominion, it is manifest that early provision will have to be made for town extension. Tnat reasonable provision must be made for assisting the local authority to carry out the work of 'ocal government in a manner befitting a highly progressive centre must be equally apparent. In planning the original township at Te Kuiti singularly little attention was paid to public convenience, and the utter lack of provision for progress, or for assisting the local authority by way of endowments must for ever remain as a blot on the original scheme. Only extraordinary progress of settlement in the district and the consequent rushing of the limited number of town sections rendered it possible for such a crudely conceived scheme to succeed. That the town has progressed phenomenally is rather a tribute to the enterprise of the residents than to the'foresight of those to whom the town planning was originally entrusted. Town residents are now faced with an unenviable position, and are realising that in order to maintain reasonable progress without overburdening themselves with financial responsibilities, the sympathetic co-operation of the Government is necessary. It is obvious that the scheme suggested is of too great magnitude for the local authority to manipulate, and in petitioning the Government to take over the property and administer it they are guided by the desire to provide for the future on reasonable and progressive lines.