BEAUTIFUL BUDA.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 389, 22 March 1937, Page 2

BEAUTIFUL BUDA.

Big Improvement Plan. The city of Budapest has voted 120,000,000 pengos for investments during the coming year, and one of the first undei takings will be a new great railway station in the city. The new station forms part of a four-year building plan, which has just been described by Mr Siendy, the Lord Mayor of Budapest. New quays are already under construction between the Francis Joseph Bridge £nd the Elizabeth Bridge. The new aerodrome at Budaors, which is expected *to cost 15,000,000 pengos, will be opened in April. This aerodrome will be one of the finest in Europe, as the 230 acres of field are surrounded by woodland, and a fine view may be had from the clubhouse.

Garden Houses. Mr Szendy’s plan, however, is not confined to improving the architectural appearance of Budapest; he intends also to provide homes for the homeless. He proposes to provide the working classes with garden houses on the outskirts, consisting of one room, a kitchen, and a showerbath. These dwellings would cost 30/- a i month, and by the payment of a surplus of 15/- a month the tenant may become owner after a number of years. Should a tenant become unemployed the surplus money accumulated in the savings bank will be refunded for rent, or should he move to another town all the money paid will be returned. ’ Improvements in living conditions are also planned for the villages. Many villages have had electricity laid on recently, and waterworks and drainage will now be commenced. The lack of water when the wells run low in summer Is a serious problem in Hungary, .and there are still 27 towns which have no water supply. It is hoped that the expense of water and drainage all over the country may be covered by a loan issued by the industries interested.

“Dwarf” Estates. In the first half of last year 10,000 acres of ground were distributed l»y the State in the form of small and dwarf estates. During the last five years agriculture has advanced rapidly, and the farmers are helped as far as possible. Exclusive wheat growing has become a thing of the past, and even small estate owners are enterprising in blazing new trails In produce.

Six years ago 5,500,000 pengos worth of raw fruit was imported into Hungary, which now exports 16,000,000 pengos worth of fruit. Ten years ago the roads in the county of Baranya were planted with 25,000 fruit trees, which yielded their first notable harvest this year. The plum attained such size and sweetness this summer that the county Governor caused a drying factory to be opened, and this fruit, which can be bought for less than a farthing the two pounds, is sold dried and packed for a little more than threepence the pound.