TREASURE ISLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 6

TREASURE ISLAND

AMAZING SAN FRANCISCO EFFORT

EXHIBITION ATTRACTION WANGANUI BUSINESSMAN'S DESCRIPTION A description of San Francisco's amazing Treasure Island was featured in the address at the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce meeting last night by Mr. W. J. Robinson, who gave an interesting and colourful account of his recent visit to America. The island, which will be opened as on Exposition in 12 days’ time, was conceived by the San Francisco Junior Chamber of Commerce, said Mr. Robinson. Artificially constructed, it rises to a height of 300 feet at one end and has an area of nearly a square mile. The original motive for the island was to provide an airport and it was started in 1929. The retaininng wall at the deep end of the island contained 387,000 tons of quarried rock and behind this many thousands of tons of earth and sand formed the area within the walls. “There are five ways of travelling to the island—air, car, electric train, bus and ferry. There are four slips for ferries and it is estimated that the transport facilities will handle 67,000 people an hour in rush traffic.” said Mr. Robinson. “Even when I was there, six months before the exposition was to be opened, thousands of people were visiting the island. “The island is beautifully laid out and 4000 trees—big trees—are flourishing. They are about 60 to 80 feet high and weigh about 40 tons each. That is about the weight of a sevenroomed house. About them are set 47,000 bulbs and millions of flowering plants. “Fine Buses and No Flies.” The fleet of ?COO buses owned by one company and their stuff of i. 2,000 also impressed Mr. Robinson in his travels. They covered the greater part of America and the service was a model of efficiency. “They carry 48 passengers and it is a delightful way ol seeing the country and learning something of its life and people.” he said. "The buses will stop every few miles and the most pleasing rule was that they are compelled to stop at every railway crossing whether there is a train expected or not. Another feature of American life as we saw it was that there are no flies. Mrs. Robinson and I looked for them but we did not s?e one. If a home or a business house is troubled with pests or vermin they ring a sanitary authority and soon the trouble is remedied.”

A review of American working conditions was given by Mr. Robinson He said that wages and hours were better than in New Zealand and the standard of living was higher. Typistes started at £5 a week and soon were earning £7. Labourers earned £7 a week or more and the whole tenor of American business life impressed him deeply with its efficiency. Well lighted and roomy offices were all designed to save time, and on entry to the premises it was possible to see the whole staff from the manager to the office boy through glass panelling.