The Bay of Plenty Beacon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1942 THEN AND NOW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 13, 6 February 1942, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1942 THEN AND NOW

WHEN the Great War had reached its third year, twentyfive years ago, a thriving township in the Bay of Plenty decided to lake upon itself the new dignity and status of a Borough. Whakatane, fast becoming the recognised centre for the consolidating Rangitaiki Plains was at long last coming into its own. In those days the sudden transfoi motion of the swamp lands and the growing importance of dairying and grazing had; led to the ambitious scheme behind the building of the Freezing Works at Pupuaruhe. Maori land was changing hands all over the county, while boom prices had already started their upward trend. In this centre the unprecedented number of Solicitors and Land Agents bore witness to the phenomenal volume of the 'land' business, while it was said that the average Maori would sell his very soul for the possession, of one of those new, fascinating machines, known as automobiles. To-day, while there is not the same exciting change-over taking pla.ce, or the same amount of easy money the second World War, finds a consolidated town with a population of 2400 and a steadily growing suburban area. Financially sound, thriving and progressive we the citizens of Whakatane are nevertheless given at times to wonder what the future holds in store for us all.

GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE HEADS

WITH the growth of public interest centred on the Heads,, we wonder how many of our readers realise what a unique asset the town possesses in the pretty little settlement which lies at the harbour mouth. Here at our sea approach lies a stretch of land which could with little effort be transformed into a potential asset and a beauty spot. From the ill-dchned track of twenty years ago a substantial road has been formed. A recreation area has been constructed and a strong retaining wall built. But there are many things still to be done before the 'Heads' can be said to have been properly developed, and, we look, forward to the time when a tar-sealed roadway from the town will be flanked by a strip ot greensward, interspersed with trees at regular intervals, and protected by a permanent retaining wall. The effect would be a marine drive in miniature passing in its route a neatly kept model Maori Pa, which coulcl replace the present delapidated collection of huts, and serve as a genuine monument to brave progenators of the Matatu.a

tribes.

THE BEACON' NEWS SERVICE

WE desire to assure our readers that despite the growing staff difficulties confronting the firm at the present time, it is the intention of the directors to maintain the standing service as long as it is humanly possible to do so.- To date there has been no revision of advertising rates, printing or subscription charges due to war conditions and the company hopes to maintain the tri-weekly service without reducing the size or style of the paper. It is felt that by keeping up the normal operation, and maintaining prices at peace-time level, the BEACON will be playing its part public stability and morale, though its staff has be : i more than halved. This effort, it is considered it owes to the communi-ty which has always afforded the company such excellent support.

BICYCLES TO THE FORE

THE man who wouldn't ride a bicycle,' is becoming something of a conspicuous figure in Whakatane, where hundreds of suburban dwellers 'push' daily to work and. home again. The number and variety of machines produced from nowhere almost as soon as the petrol restrictions were imposed was amazing, and we are informed that the all three local dealers still have waiting lists of potential buyers who are content with second-hand re-conditioned machines because of the complete absence of new ones.