PROGRESS OF OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 298, 28 April 1941, Page 3

PROGRESS OF OHOPE

LARGE PROGRAMME COM-

PLETED

Fll KSI DENTS REPORT

Reporting to the annual meeting of the Ohope Ratepayers' and Progress League held on Wednesday last, the president, Mr A. J. Canning,' revealed that the programme of the League's first year had been a vigorous one during which a great deal of important work had been accomplished. His report read as follows;- —-

Though the League has only been in existence for one year 1 think \vc have completed, quite a good programme of work. In spite of the difficult conditions resulting from the war, this organisation has carried on endeavouring to do iits utmost in the interests of the progress of Ohope, The first achievement was the amalgamation of the original Progress League with the Ratepayers' Association and I consider this a move which was long overdue, for in. a place sur-h as this there should not be anv need for differences of opinion or of two organisations working one against the other.

Swimming Pool : In it's early stages' the Leagues sponsored the children's lca,rn-tOi-swim pool suggested by Mr F. Maliy, and In this regard was instrumental in. achieving the formation of the. Domain Board which has since February last taken over the administration of the whole of tlie Ohope Crown Lands. By this means tin- way was made open for the construction of the pool, for which 1 understand Mr Maliy has a substantial sum in hand. Speeding on the Beach : One of the first undertakings of the League was an agitation to limit the speed of motor vehicles on the bcach, and as a result regulations are now passed limiting the speed of all cars using the beach to 20 m.p.h, between Bluett's Creek and thei Rock. This will go a long way towards* preventing possible accidents.

Money-Order Post Office: This matter was dropped after an initial enquiry, and was held over till after the war. Southern Reserve : As a result of representations tc; the County Council this area has been levelled, an 1 the League has offered its co-opera-tion to the Domain Board for its laying out and planting. Plunket Service : The League also took this matter up and; as a result has set up a small committee of residents who are responsible for the weekly service which is now in force. This geslaire has been greatly appreciated by young mothers living on the beach.

Trawling off Beach: The League has had thci position of trawling properly cleared up and defined, and more latterly, as a result of its protest has been instrumental in having all rights to trawlers using the beach within three miles of the shore.

1 to 58 : With a view to having the road serving sections 1 to 58 thrown open in accordance with the access clause on all title.s, the League took this matter up vigorously, and endeavoured to have the thoroughfare dedicated. To this end a deputation waited on the County Council. As a result however the request was turned down, the council deciding to take no action. Th«: matter has since been temporarily dropped. Seating Accommodation : Plans are already in hand for the construction of seating accommodation on the present picnic area. This will be completed in the near futuro and will be carried out in coordinaticfn with, the Domain Board.

Sealing- of Approach : During the year the League lias lent its active support to the agitation of the Chamber of Commerce for the sealing of the Whakatane-Ohope road. Letters -have gone forward to the P.W.D.. and the local bodies immediately concerned. It is to be hoped that something will be done in this direction in order to overcome the menace of dust, and thebad state of the surface produced by loose metal at certain times ol the year. Incorporation : The matter hai also been takon up and, the. proposed rides are before you to-night for adopting or amending.

Thanks : I desire to take the members of my executive and especially those other interested members "who supported, me during my term ol office. We have been rather handicapped. by the lack of interest displayed by the average resident living at Ohopo, and I can only trust that this unhealthy state of affairs will not continue in the future. We

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have a unique and wonderful asset in Ohopo Beach., one of which we should all be proud and one in which we should all be willing to take a hand in assisting and improving. I am convinced that the League has a very important part to play in Ohope's development and t trust that as time goes on all sections will forget their petty differences, and come together for tho benefit of the beach as a public resort, I wish the League all success and am proud of my association with its members during the first year of its activities.