Delving further into Devonport Museum's collection of the 'North Shore Times' from 1949 to 1954, I can see how the early 1950s set the scene for the rest of the twentieth century on the North Shore.

According to official government figures, in May 1950 the population of Takapuna Borough (around 12,190) overtook that of Devonport Borough (11,970) and established Takapuna Borough (from 1961 a city) as the biggest local authority on the North Shore, until the advent of North Shore City in 1989. By February 1954, Takapuna Borough had added another 3,060 residents while Devonport had gained just 280. What is also apparent is the population growth in the East Coast Bays, with that borough (with an initial population of 7,800) separating off from Waitemata County in April 1954. On the western part of the North Shore, in May 1950, Birkenhead Borough had around 4,330 residents while Northcote had 2,930.
Whereas at the 1949 general election Devonport still made up just over 50% of the total votes cast in the North Shore electorate, by the 1954 general election its voting strength in that electorate had been overtaken by the growing areas of Takapuna and the inclusion of Milford. Northcote and Birkenhead were now part of a large Waitemata electorate stretching to Coatesville and Waiwera. That electorate was narrowly won by Labour's Norman King (1914-2002) who remained in Parliament until 1975.
Whereas in 1950 there was a fear that an Auckland harbour bridge was being "shelved", local advocacy ensured that at least what some described as "half a bridge" was opened in May 1959. In 1950, the Auckland Hospital Board purchased land fronting Taharoto and Shakespeare Roads from the Sisters of Mercy for what was to become North Shore Hospital. Building was to start in 1952 and it was estimated to take two years to complete. However, in November 1954 the approved plans for the hospital were now described as ''ready for tender" and it actually opened in 1958. The North Shore District Court eventually opened in Takapuna in May 1970.
The first Birkenhead Library opened Friday 11 November 1949, in the basement of the Birkenhead Borough Municipal Chambers, while new library buildings opened in Devonport on 26 February 1954 and Takapuna on 12 March 1956. Northcote Library opened on 10 March 1956.
The North Shore Drainage Board started in 1951 and despite ongoing disagreements between the different boroughs, ensured a regional approach to sewage across the North Shore. Similarly the North Shore Fire Board started in 1948, with Takapuna Borough eventually joining and the Board's area extending into the East Coast Bays.
Effective town planning ensured that new large-scale factories and workshops were largely confined to the Wairau valley, allowing the remainder of Takapuna and all of Devonport Borough to remain residential. Initially around 60 acres in the Porana and Archers Roads area were deemed to be industrial, with another 200 acres available to be added. Ironically, given the relatively recent developments at Smales Farm, in 1950 the then mayor of Takapuna (John Guiniven, 1871-1957) envisaged the corner of Taharoto and Northcote Roads as being the future commercial centre for Takapuna.
In October 1954, Dean Eyre (National MP for North Shore from 1949 to 1966) proudly pointed to new schools in Bayswater (1953) and Hauraki (May 1954), extensions to Takapuna and Milford Primary Schools and planned expansions to Takapuna Grammar School. Rangitoto College opened in 1955, Torbay Primary in 1956, Westlake High School and Belmont Intermediate in 1957 and Murrays Bay Intermediate in 1958. Carmel College also opened in 1957.

david.verran@xtra.co.nz