PAPATOETOE TAKES THE LEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 334, 20 April 1928, Page 8

PAPATOETOE TAKES THE LEAD

A MEED of praise may be accorded the enterprising people of Papatoetoe, which appears to be the first suburb to recognise in a practical way, the existence of the Town Planning Board. Papatoetoe has launched a town-planning project to supersede the disabilities eaffsed by an irregular lay-out which if perpetuated, would spoil the appearance of a naturally beautiful suburb. The designer of the plan, Mr. E. V. Blake, has secured the support of the local town board, Welfare League, Beautifying Society and ratepayers generally. The ideas incorporated in the plan will be submitted for the approval of the Town Planning Board, which will surely survey them with an eye of kindly welcome. Generally, local bodies have been slow to move in the matter of town-planning, the reason probably being that some of them are very self-satisfied. It may be said, also, that many people have the haziest ideas of town-planning, their conception of the term being something resplendent in the way of buildings—a gorgeous picture theatre (first necessity), a majestic town hall, a grand hotel, and ornate bungalows with tiled roofs and formal lawns—the antiquated sanitary service being overlooked. But town planning does not provide merely for buildings; it considers roads and lanes, parks and paths, water-supply and sewerage, lighting, and other things which form essential parts of a whole. The Papatoetoe plan proposes to add sixteen miles of road to the fourteen already under the jurisdiction of the board, one road to give direct access from the East Tamaki Road to the business heart of the town, and another to continue from Portage Road to the Great South Road and provide for cross traffic. Provision is made for adequate playing grounds, for the lay-out of potential business areas, and for all other necessities of a thriving town. The action of Papatoetoe may he commended to the particular notice of other towns ufliich are hesitating while unsuitable roads are being formed and unsuitable buildings erected without regard for the future. Newmarket has decided to refer the choice of a new outlet from the Broadway to the Town Planning Board. It could, with advantage, seek a scheme to cover all requirements to submit to that body.