The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, DEC. 14. 1945 TRI-WEEKLY PAPER IN NEW YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 32, 14 December 1945, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, DEC. 14. 1945 TRI-WEEKLY PAPER IN NEW YEAR

IN ACCORDANCE with the. Company's promise to the public of Whakatane and district* steps have been taken to ensure a permanent supply of newsprint sufficient to warrant the BEACON being printed three times weekly in the New Year. This step which we feel will be welcomed by our advertisers and readers has been made possible through the easing up of the shipping facilities and the Hfting of the paper restrictions. It is hoped to be able to revert to the tri-weekly service with the minimum delay, but the re-arrangement of staff, and routine in the factory makes it likely that the new issue will not be possible immediately after the holidays, though every effort will, be made to introduce it as quickly as possible. For the past three and a half .years the BEACON has functioned as a bi-weekly news organ, and though faced with considerable difficulty in the matter of maintaining supplies of paper, and staff strength, it has fulfilled a service which we fee\ has been widely appreciated. Our readers possibly did not guess, that two. years ago the staff behind the paper was reduced at one stage to three —of a normal complement of ninQ, and that it took the utmost effort to produce the* paper, even at twice a week. Again it was a well-kept com-, pany secret that fifteen months ago there was only sufficient newsprint in the factory for two more issues of the paper. Those were problems common to all types of businesses operating under the stress of war restrictions. Nowthat conditions are improving it is felt that the company owes it to its subscribers to increase its news service at no extra cost, in accordance with the undertaking given when it was found imperative to decline the production of the paper. It will be remembered that there was no reduction of cost at the time, and that under the abnormal circumstances the position was accepted cheerfully and without complaint. This attitude was greatly appreciated and the Company by way of keeping faith intends living up to its own terms in spite of the increased cost of production and paper costs treble those of pre-war prices. An announcement in the New Year will fix the actual date of the commencement of the new service.

DEVELOPING THE DOMAIN

OUT of the various meetings and discussions on the question of developing the Whakatane Sports Domain, has arisen one helpful and comprehensive suggestion w*hich must find unanimous support throughout the Borough. This came from Cr A. J. Canning, who can usually be depended upon to bubble over with enthusiasm in anything he espouses, when he suggested that sports bodies and show associations should pool their efforts and concentrate on a i programme which would completely transform the Domain. Cr Canning obviously envisaged the removal Of the. Winter Show Building to the Domain, the setting up of a permanent and satisfying show arena and grandstand and the linking up of the sporting facilities with a major and comprehensive plan fully in keeping with a town of nearly 3,000 inhabitants. The scheme, though an ambitious one commends itself thoroughly in the light of the information given by Cr W. Sallivan, who opined that a Government subsidy would probably be forthcoming next year for all undertakings bearing the stamp of 'war memorial.' We can think of no better scheme from a practical point of view than the creation of sports facilities such as outlined by the combined body, and we sincerely trust that the community will stand solidly behind the Borough Council when the new project is launched under the heading of the town'fe memorial effort. It is pleasing to note the common decision to allow the present Queen Carnival (under the auspices of the R.S.A.) to proceed without opposition of any sort before the next project is placed before the community.

MAORI MEMORIAL WAITING ROOM

WE note the apparent neglect of the Memorial Waiting Room at Pohaturoa Rock. It would be interesting to know exactly under whose responsibility the question of up* keep and appearance came. In Pohaturoa itlself, the town has an imoosmg natural monument, of which it may well be: proud. A little attention to the adjoining Maori Memorial is therefore an essential duty.