STILL GROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 109, 12 January 1940, Page 4

STILL GROWING

"WHAKATANE will become the key-town to the Bay of Planty, there is nothing to prevent it!" This was the statement made by a well-known public man passing through the town during the holidays, when he expressed his amazement at its growth since he was here twelve years ago. Such a statement is worthy of note, and should serve to stimulate the local efforts aimed at planning services and facilities for the future. On the face of it, the average citizen is most likely to dismiss the remark as merely a polite observance on the part of a visitor endeavouring to please. But a brief survey of the facts as they stand today would appear to back our friend up, and bear out his theory as to the town's future. In the first place our town has the distinction of being the only place in New Zealand to double its population between the two recent census periods. From a compaiative village it has within a d.ecade leapt into prominence as a progressive., modern and attractive town. A glance down the main street reveals orderly, well-laid out shops, the majority of which have been constructed within the past twelve years- New public buildings indicate the confidence the Government has in the town while the two new hotels, the modern bank buildings and the smart appearance of the business housss show the march of events, and the genuine endeavour of the people to make the centre woithy of the new wave of prosperity which ha.s awakened it after nigh on forty years of quietude. It is however the amazing growth of population which has presented Whakatane with its No. 1 problem. In spite of sixty completed Government houses in spite of energetic efforts of private people to build for themselves, the question remains a major one, and is acute as ever. Plans are in hand for another forty Government houses, but even this number cannot be calculated to meet the growing- demand. For the past two years Ohope has catered for the town's overflow and during the past winter season there were many permanent families forced to live in never intended to serve as homes the year roundIt is estimated by one local authority that it will take Whakatane at least another five years to catch up and comfortably accomodate its present population figure- This statement will make for mournful reflection on the part of those who are already inconvenienced in this connection, but to those who can visualise the size of Whakatane at the end of that period the picture must be gratifying. As to the back country, no one can doubt the potential prosperity o the Rangitaiki or the annual area of the farmable land which is added to its acreage. All the subsidiary districts are likely to progress, mainly because of the room for expansion and the strong community spirit which has marne their growth- All this valuable hinterland means progress and prosperity for the centre upon which it naturally converges and it is Whakatane's duty to plan and provide for its greater and brighter futures