Memory lane

Auckland surely has become a mess from the royal city it once was.

I spent many trips as a small child to Queen St with my aunt. We travelled from Papatoetoe by train and took the tram up Queen St. There was no litter as the council employed street cleaners.

Now the councillors’ enormous salaries don’t allow any extra to pay street cleaners. Also there was no takeaway rubbish to litter the streets.

The big department stores were a joy and there were chairs at the counters for the weary shoppers.

There were three variety stores; Woolworths, McKenzies and McDuffs. Outside one was stairs with fairy lights going down under the street to a boat which was 6d a ride. People had pride and dressed up to go to the city.

Years later I joined the Air Force and was stationed at Whenuapai and Hobsonville air bases. Friday night was late night and shopping, then a visit to one of the beautifully decorated cinemas.

I never go to Queen St today but still have the wonderful memories.

Gwyneth Jones, Albany.