The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1st, 1939. ENLARGING BOROUGH BOUNDARIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 82, 1 November 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV. Ist, 1939. ENLARGING BOROUGH BOUNDARIES

THE inclusion of the settlements known as the Pa and the Heads in the Borough of Whakatane, marks a development which will be warmly welcomed by all who are interested in the progress of the town. For many years now these two areas have adjoined the business section with no legal claim on the Borough authorities for service or amenities of any kind. Now, however, they will be treated as part of the town proper, and back streets which are little more than eyesores will become part of the council's responsibilities. The water and drainage services will be extended and the general appearance of the Pa will gradually assume a decent and orderly appearance. The increase in rates upon the householders has been assessed at little more than £1 in advance of what they are now paying, which in view of the improved amenities is considered a most reasonable return. Apart from the Borough Council's decision to effect a long needed improvement, the new areas will result in a substantial in-

crease in the official population figures. The Headsfast becoming a popular beach resort and with the formation of the Centennial Park (now taking on a most pleasing appearance) should become more so as time goes on, The estimated population from both the Pa and the Meads is approximately 250. With the Borough of Whaka,tane now showing just under two thousand, this will make a grand total of nearly two and a half thousand, and the boundaries will extend along the southern side of the harbour to the signal station and over the hill-land skirting the bluff. Whakatane is definitely laying the foundations for the expansion and gradual consolidation of the important shipping port and commercial centre 'it was always intended to be. It is rather interesting when discnssing the population figures of our town to reflect that there is another growing centre, the future of which is closely tied to that of Whakatane. Scarcely five miles away l'ies Ohope Beach —often described by visitors as the finest resort in New Zealand. To-day to the amazement of all who knew the locality a few years ago there is a permanent population of well over three hundred. Every one of these persons look upon Whakatane as their town. Most of them have business ties to the town or are retired from it. They are therefore to be considered as much its citizens many of those living in the actual borough.

With this new group it would he safe to assume that Whaka tane proper has an immediate population of no less than 2500. As time goes on the full benefit of the Rangitaiki Plains settlement, will become more and more manifest by the demands made upon the town to which residents from a hundred thousand acres gravitate as their natural trading and shopping centre. There may come the time: when the amenities of our town will have to be extended again. This 1 however will depend largely upon the spirit of progress animating those who go to make up its citizens, and in this respect it is meet for each and every one to be mindful of the duty towards the local authority, and the loyalty which is due the various business houses which go to make up the centre from which we are all drawing a living.