Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 251, 18 December 1940, Page 4

Local and General

Tauranga Regata.. The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of cheap fares and train arrangements in connection with the Tauranga 'Regatta. Banks of Crimson. The Pohutukawa trees now a mass of scarlet blossom on the cliffs behind the business area of Whakatane have been commented on by several visitors to the town in conversation with the BEACON 1 staff. It is probable that no other towns in New Zealand has such venerable Christmas trees growing so much in view of its main street. Speed Limit at Ohope. The Commissioner of Transport, writing to the County Council, stated that he had submitted a proposal to the Minister for the declaration of the Ohope Beach Settlement as a closely populated locality. The result of this, coupled with the council's by-l-xw, would mean a speed restriction of 30 m.p.h. along Pohutukawa Avenue and the lower limit, 20 m.p.h., along the beach frontage.

Presentations to Rhodes Scholar. It was reported in our last issue that Mr Alan Stewart'was the recipient of a presentation at the hands of the Mayor last Thursday. Actually Mr Stewart received the gifts from the district Soldiers Farewell Committf;e and the Ladies' Patriotic Committee. Whakatane to the Fore. An interesting Christmas card received by His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, portrays an inter-* esting scene photographed , during the progress of the Whakatane Ccutennial Celebrations. This depicts the scene at the Heads with -l/he Minister extending his congratulations to the local chief of Matatua, Te Keepa Tawhaio. In the background is the commemorative stone marking the first point of landing by the Matatua canoe.. The reproduction is an excellent one, the writing even being legible. The Taneatua Bridge. Reporting to the County Council, the Engineer, Mr C. H. Bre-b-* ner, stated ihat the strengthening of the Taneatua Bridget would involve the expenditure of £730. "In view r of the cost and the doubtful condition of the decking I would not recommend its re-construction. It is reasonable to suppose that the bridge will last for a number of years to come and a subsidy might be available when new construction is necessary. A new bridge would be of concrete and on a better line than the present structure. The bridge will he carefully watched for any signs of failure/' stated Mr Brebner.