The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1946 OUR GROWING TOWN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 5, 31 July 1946, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1946 OUR GROWING TOWN

“WHAKATANE will become the key-town to the Bay of Plenty, there is nothing to prevent it!” This was the statement made by a well-known public man passing through the town recently, when he expressed his amazement at its growth since he was here twelve years ago. Such a statement is worthy of note, and should serve to stimulate the local efforts aimed at planning services and facilities for the future. On the face of it, the average citizen is most likely to dismiss the remark as merely a polite observance on the part of a visitor endeavouring to please. But a brief survey of the facts as they stand today would appear substantially back our friend up, and bear out his theory as to the town’s future. In the first place our town has the distinction of being fifth in New Zealand to increase its population between the two recent census periods. From a comparative village it has within a decade leapt into prominence as a progressive, modern and attractive town. A glance down the main street reveals orderly, well-laid out shops, the majority of which have been constructed within the past fifteen years. New public buildings indicate the confidence the Government has in the town while the two new hotels, the modern bank buildings and the smart appearance of the business houses show the march of events, and the genuine endeavour of the people to make the centre worthy of the new wave of prosperity which has awakened it after nigh on forty years of quietude. It is however the amazing growth of population which has presented Whakatane with its No. 1 problem. In spite of one hundred and thirty completed Government houses, in spite of energetic efforts of private people to build for themselves, the question remains a major one, and is as acute as ever. Plans are in hand for another forty Government houses, but even this number cannot be calculated to meet the growing demand. For the past seven years Ohope has catered for the town’s overflow and during the past season there were many permanent families forced to live in shacks, never intended to serve as homes the year round. It is estimated by one local authority that it will take Whakatane at least another five years to catch up and comfortably accommodate its present population figure. This statement will make for mournful reflection on the part of those who are already inconvenienced in this connection, but to those who can visualise the size of Whakatane at the end of that period the picture must be gratifying. As to the back country, no one can doubt the potential prosperity of the Rangitaiki or the normal area of the farmable land which is added to its acreage. All the subsidiary districts are likely to progress, mainly because of the room for expansion and the strong community spirit which has marked their growth. All this valuable hinterland means progress and prosperity for the centre upon which it naturally converges and it is Whakatane’s duty to plan and provide for its greater and brighter future.