IMPRESSIONS OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1563, 13 June 1916, Page 3

IMPRESSIONS OF FOXTON.

(By Sir Robert Stout, Chief - Justice.) It is over forty years since I first visited Foxton. When I reached there a few weeks ago 1 was amazed at its progress. It has a tine main street, well kept, and has sloi’es that equal those in one of our large cities. It has one advantage that I hope it will never destroy : its streets ai’e wide and straight. If has one and three-quarter miles of streets two chains wide, eight- miles of streets one chain and a-half wide, and two and a-quarter miles mu' chain wide. Slums should ne\ei exist. 1 noticed, however, one oi two “(‘ill de sac” streets. It is a pity that the original plan of the town should have been impaired by their creation. Another advantage is that it is not built on clay, it lias sand ridges running through it, and the natural drainage is excellent. It is near the sea, and this makes the winters mild. Its climate is first rate. Being free from dampness, with sufficient wind to make its climate bracing, Foxton ought to be free from disease. 1 nlortunately its record in (his respect is not so good as I should have expected. 1 hear from the Government Statistician Office that diphtheria is prevalent. The following table shows the number of cases in the borough from 1912 to 19K) : 1912 3 1913 W> 1914 38 1915 49 191(i (Jan. to May) 37 Happily, tml eric or typhoid is rare. Why should there be diphtheria ? It is a disease that can be driven away if the drainage is good and the sanitary arrangements proper. At one lime it was almost endemic in New Plymouth, and it was common in Christchurch. Thanks t„ the better sanitary arrangements the disease is not so prevalent as it was in years gone by in these towns. The death-rate in Christchurch fell about one-third after the drainage scheme avus installed. It L encumbent on the people ot Foxton. if they wish to have a prosperous town, to see that diphlheiia is abolished. It can be got rid ot. Wellington has nothing like the cases of typhoid fever it had 30 or 40 voiivs nu’o. Typlnis is iiua\ unknown in London, und Ims no'.ovhud a footing in New Zealand. All diseases that are caused through want of cleanliness and proper sanitary

irrangeinents can he comptered b\ he people. Now, if Foxton got the name of being a healthy city it would be a desirable place of residence. It should, from a health and climatic point of view, be the most desirable place of residence on the West Coast of Mew Zealand. It is more bra (dug than Wanganui, and its subsoil is belter drained than much of Palmerston North can ever

Vital is, however, needed beyond healthy surroundings, are social amenities. How can these be obtained' The Foxton community has, 1 believe, all the elements necessary Cor (he highest and best social life. May 1 point out some things that might be done. There should be a Foxton Institute or Amend v .Society. The aims oi this Society or institute should be, Jirst, to beautify the town. There is one small plot at the north oi Main Street. It has some shrubs and flowers. It ought to be a perfect (lower garden. The old Maori cemetery should also be obtained for a garden, and the children ol the Slate school could be trained to be its guardians and gardeners. 'I hen 'there are two other things this insti - tute could do : (a) promote social life, (b) promote intellectual pursuits. As I * * (;i), thoiv is ;i iiiiuiicipal theatre, and hence a hall for concerts and dramatic exhibitions. There should be a musical department to the institute. Concerts should be held at least once a iortnighl in the winter half of the year. 'Chert 1 should also be a dramatic department, the-members of winch could give simple dramatic representations a few times a year. V hat is required further is a social club or writing rooms. This should be joined with a library and reading room. There should be a room for conversation and rooms for chess and draughts or cards, so long as there is no gambling. As to (b), what si needed is an improvement of the library, all these rooms being added to it. Provision must be made for a literary department, that wotdd inaugurate meetings tor lectures, debates, etc. What even a village can do has been shown in Havelock North, and the fame of Havelock North has gone throughout New Zealand so that it is looked upon as a desirable place of residence because of its social and intellectual life. Is there any reason why sueh a Foxton institute should not be founded? If it existed, and it (he health of the (own were properly attended to by the Foxton local authority, might we not see foxton largely increased in population by those on the look-out for a healthy town, an agreeable climate and a good soeial life? There is everything to expect if the Foxton people got sueh an institute started as I have mentioned. The welfare and prosperity of Foxton would he promoted in a way that emit hardly be realised if sueh an institute were founded. It may be said, “But what of the cost?” The cost would not be heavy. I wonder if it is ever considered how much Foxton and its immediate neighbours spend on alcohol, tobacco, and picture theatres ? W ould it bo too much to ask that one fourth of the amount spent on these should be spent on a Foxton Institute;? If this were done the Foxton Institute Avould be rich beyond even the dreams of avarice.

It would have so iiiiudi money it would iind difficulty iu spending it. And wlmt do these three, or any of them do for Ihe social well-being of Foxton? Their fruits are but Dead Sea apples. The moneys spent on alcohol and tobacco are worse than wasted. These drays lessen the efficiency and deteriorate the ability of the race. Picture theatres are often a useful and pleasant recreation and instruction. They are often, however, most injurious. We have often silly and vulgar melodramas that are anything but uplifting. It is a shame to see at such entertainments young children who ought to be enjoying sleep. Is it a wonder that there are so many pale-faced children to be seen in all town schools/ Suppose Foxton set aside one half the sum spent on alcohol and tobacco by its inhabitants, what sum would there be available for social work? 1 reply, not less than ,C4,2i)9 per annum ; and what an improvement might there l not be made with such an expenditure. Tin 1 Foxton Institute could provide for belter entertainment than any picture theatres. 1 would have the conversation room of the institute provided with a refreshment bar where tea, coffee, and their substitutes —postum, etc. —and other non-alcoholic drinks and light refreshments, could be supplied. And further, 1 would have the institute open to all free of charge. We bear much of communism or Socialism, or both. Here is a chance for Foxton to put into practice a (rue citizen’s communal life. WHI the people rouse themselves and set the example of a (rue citizen life in our midst ’ There- is room for new industries. I wonder if the residents have ever considered if there is not an opening for rope works ? There should be a saving in freight which the export of fibre necessitates, and (here is a considerable demand for twine in New Zealand. Is there, (hen no opening for such an industry in Foxton.' Further, could not sea tishing be further developed.’ Again, the best bread obtainable in any town I have visited, is to be got in Foxton. Is there no room for a biscuit factory? There are many small industries that could be started, and if rents are low, why should Foxton not look' for further development ? Let the inhabitants be tilled with hope, and let them determine to have etlicient citizens, and lei them not waste their substance on that which prolilelh not, and we will soon see Foxton a thriving.and-pro-sperous borough. All these things passed through my mind as 1 took my morning walks through the magnificent broadways of the Foxton borough. If I can help in any way, 1 shall be glad to do so. And nothing would afford me greater pleasure-I ban to give a lecture now and again in (lie Foxton Institue. and answer any questions as to how I think the institute should be promoted.