WHAKATANE'S EASTER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 294, 16 April 1941, Page 5

WHAKATANE'S EASTER

PERFECT WEATHER MANY VISITORS TO BEACHES Willi perfect weather conditions prevailing during the Easter holidays residents and many visitors found, leisure time spent at the beaches and other attractive spots in the district very pleasant. All seaside resorts were well patronis>ed, Ohope, as usual, attracting the majority of the visitors, while Thornton, Matata and other coastal centres appealed to many. Crowds at. Ohope. In spite of petrol restrictions the motor traffic visiting Ohope was not noticeably lessened and the number of campers and day visitors appeared as great as is usual at Easter. The number was swelled by about 100 Bible Class students who were camped at the beach from Thursday evening until Tuesday morning. This camp was organised for the members of the Presbyterian Bible Classes of the Bay of Plenty and proved very successful the young men and women spending an enjoyable and educational time. Those responsible for the organisation of the camp were:—• Moderator of Presbytery, Very Rev. T. H. Rosevere, 8.D.; President, Mr Tom Steele; Camp Father, Rev. James Stewart; Camp Mother, Mrs J. Ross Murray; Visiting Speaker, Rev. C. K. Crump; Musical Director, Mr H. D. Paterson; Organist,' Miss Ruth Garaway; Y.W. Secretary, Miss Patricia Thompson; Y.W. President, Miss I. Murray; Camp Registrar, Miss Doris Murray; Gamp Secretary, Mrs J. L. Murray. Parents and friends were welcomed, each day at the camp in the afternoons or evenings while many also paid visits to attend the meetings held in the evenings.

The Heads Popular. Those without cars and also motor owners, perhaps from choice or lack of petrol, spent many hours at the Heads and practically every day found the children's playing area and the beach front very popular. Fishing from the rocks, both at the river mouth, and around the point attracted many and although catches were not large some good sport was enjoyed. Many Launch Trips. Whakatane's pleasure fleet made full use of the favourable conditions and all launches went out on the tide each day. Fishing trips to the Whale and the Raurimu Islands proved most enjoyable and the results obtained were fair, on Sunday a party on the Port Whakatane hooking over 40 good schnapper. One launch made the journey to White Island and all hands pronounced the day as an outstanding one for its interest although apart from a large hapuka and an "old man" schnapper they did not fare very well with the lines.

Other Attractions,

A number of residents were attracted by the lakes and anglers of Whakatane were prominent at Rotoiti and other lakes and streams well known for trout fishing. The Awaken springs also received a quota of holiday makers who preferred bathing in the thermal waters rather than braving the now cooler surf.

In every way, thanks to the ex cellent weather, Whakatane enjoyed a pleasant Easter.