MOUNT ALBERT PROGRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 69, 13 June 1927, Page 7

MOUNT ALBERT PROGRESS

NEW COUNCIL ROOMS OFFICIAL OPENING BY MINISTER SATURDAY, which saw the k official opening of the new council chambers in New North Road, Morningside, by the Hon. G. J. Anderson, was a proud day for Mt. Albert. The new building, which cost nearly £7,000, affords a striking contrast to the old wooden structure on the opposite side of the road, which has done service for so many years. It is a handsome and at the same time a useful monument to the progress of the borough which now boasts 17,597 inhabitants and 3,621 houses of a capital value of £4,750,000. The Mayor of Mt. Albert, Mr. L. E. Rhodes, outlined the rapid strides made by the borough since 1874, the date of the earliest records, when there were only 928 people in the district. By 1911 the number had increased sevenfold. There were then 1,501 houses and the total valuation was £998,665. The Mayor paid tribute to the work of both the architect, Mr. D. B. Paterson, and the contractor, Mr. "VV. E. Johns, as well as the sub-contractors. Other speakers included Mr. T. B. Clay, a former Mayor, Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mt. Eden, and Mr. D. B. Paterson, who presented Mr. Rhodes with a gold key of the building. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, after congratulating the borough on its new possession had some useful advice to give. “We like to oe governed—and then we like to growl,” he said. In his opinion there was a tendency among British people for two much government, and too many local bodies on the whole. Those in New Zealand carried out their work very efficiently. “We are getting into the habit of looking to the Government for everything,” continued the Minister, “let us look to ourselves a little more and see if we don’t get on much better in the future.” The Minister for Marine and Labour then went on to refer to the luxuries Vt hich 77ew Zealand bought from foreign countries, particularly motorcars, only half of which were necessary for business purposes—the remainder being simply for pleasure and “joy-riding.” Last year the Dominion spent more in foreign markets than it sent out in produce. “Whenever this has happened we have struck trade depression and unemployment,” he said. ' After the Minister had unlocked the doors the building was thrown open for inspection by the ratepayers, the Mayor and Mayoress being given the honour of being the first to enter the new building. Afternoon tea was provided by the council after the inspection.