MAIN ROUTE TO EAST COAST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 39, 21 July 1939, Page 4

MAIN ROUTE TO EAST COAST

CONSIDERABLE reaction since the last public meeting called by the Mayor to consider and lend voice to the official Whakatane view of the proposed new route to the East coast, has led to a group of wellknown citizens sponsoring yet another meeting to discuss this very vital matter. The new meeting will take place to-morrow evening in the County Chambers. It behoves all responsible citizens who have the wellfare of their town, at heart to make a point cf attending, as vU is intended to forward the resultant representations direct to Mr. A. G Hultquist, who will be asked to lose no time in placing them in the proper quarters in order to have the Public Works Department fully conversant with the wishes of the people of Whakatane. Since: the colourless outcome of the initial meeting there has

been a strong movement locally, which desires that something definite. and direct should go forward to the authorities, indicating in no uncertain terms that the popular route for the new route, should be through the town via Quay Street, and over to Ohope by way of the heads. The BEACON has lent strong support to the proposal, which is calculated to place Whakatane [ on the map, and indicate to an increasing number of visitors its growth and importance as a town, port and trading centre. Should the road be allowed to take the Maraetotara route, through-going traffic' will touch barely the outskirts of the residential area, and a wonderful advertisement will be lost. From good authority we have it that the P.W.D, is debating what route the road will take. Now is the psychological moment to bring forcibly to the notice of the engineers the wishes of the Whakatane people in this important matter. If by apathy and disinterestedness, the first opportunity was missed, then there is no reason why this second attempt should not be availed of to the utmost. Here is a chance to binng Whakatane to the fore. Petty differences, which unfortunately appeared to qloud the issue, in the controversy following the previous meeting, must be dropped in the interests of the town as a whole. Too long has Whakatane been a back number. Its growth has been the natural Outcome of the broad and fertile acres of plain that compose its wide back country. Modern, progressive and sound, we have something to show the world, in our well constructed business section. Why not make the most of it and by urging that the new highway follow the route suggested by the Minister of Publia Works himself, bring to our centre, a continuous and growing stream of visitors and tourists, passing through to the East Coast.