SETTLEMENT DWINDLES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 165, 8 October 1941, Page 5

SETTLEMENT DWINDLES

RESIDENTS AT OHOPE BEACH

PETROL SHORTAGE THE CAUSE

The opinion that the petrol restrictions were largely to blame for the dwindling community at Ohope Beach was expressed at the meeting of the Ohope Progress and Ratepayers' League last Monday evening. The greatest exception however was taken to the alleged l attitude of the local Control Committee, which it was stated had advised persons living on the beach that no petrol could be made available for them for travelling to and from town, and that the alternative was to live in Whakatane.

According to the chairman many residents Avho had no. AA'ish to the beach aaci'c being driven from ?t and he thought the authorities Avert: being needlessly officious. Many persons Averc living there under doctor's orders, others had their children to consided. As far as Ohope AA r as concerned it Avas a serious state of affairs. On the motion of Rev Laugh ton it Avas decided to Avrite the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister in Charge of Industries and Commerce, urging that greater leniency be slioAvn in the matter and pointing out that the practice AA'hich had taken place in the past Avas driving a healthy and a necessary community out of existence. The meeting also decided to make some enquiries into the matter ol running a regular service to and

from the bcach as some of the residents experienced the greatest difficulty in obtaining transport to and from work.