Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1947 AGENDA—1947

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 72, 13 January 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1947 AGENDA—I 947

VISITORS over the holiday period have without exception expressed astonishment at the development which has taken place in our town and district over the past few years. They have praised the remarkable expansion of residential areas, the Hillcrest home-sites, the neatly laid-out side-streets, and miles of concrete footpaths. At the same time they have not been slow in their criticism of a number of glaring oversights, and normal facilities which this town lacks. Granted the war-years put an end to any progressive programme the local authorities had in mind. Developmental schemes became impracticable, and civic improvements out of the question. But today we are entering our second year of peace. The labour problem has largely adjusted itself, goods are easing and money is free. The following agenda of projected and suggested undertakings for the future might well be borne in mind for the coming year as vital to the whole of the 14,000 residents in Borough and County: Borough; Extension of Boundaries. New Water supply. )' Sewerage system. Abattoirs. New Post Office. Course of Coastal Highway. War Memorial. Hostel accommodation. Beautification. f Harbour; Waterfront development. Reclamation to groyne adjoining Heads Road. Planting of Islands in Harbour. Protection of Tuatara island (Rarimas) Sporting and Social; Combined sports area (Domain). Winter Show re-establishment. Maori Club and Youth guidance. New Year’s Carnival. Toroa Pa development and rehousing. White Island trips (organised). Historic; Land-mark delineation of Pa sites. Preservation of Toi’s pa, Hillcrest. Memorial to Mrs. Ngou .Ngou. County; Ohope Beach extension. Aerodrome. Main Highway course. Development of townships (tar-sealing, etc.). We realise that many of the above are included in the “five year developmental plans” compiled by both the Borough and the County, but feel nevertheless that the whole of them should be brought forcibly before the public from time to time in the interest of progress and civic appreciation. From the point of view of the citizens of Whakatane there is a popular, and at the present time, a practical avenue of advancement which could be adopted. Why not a 5000, or even a 10,000 Club, dedicated to the advancement of the town as a whole and actively sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers’ Association. Such Clubs have achieved remarkable results in Napier, Rotorua, Hamilton and Palmerston North—in fact they feature in all centres which have made the greatest progress over the past ten years. Why not Whakatane ?