MURUPARA AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 8, 21 March 1947, Page 5

MURUPARA AFFAIRS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRANCH LINKS WITH WHAKATANE (From our own correspondent) Formed some five months ago this branch of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce has been exceptionally busy in its endeavours to have public facilities in the area improved. With the Rehabilitation Department settling farming areas of the district and members of the branch are well aware of the many improvements necessary in the district to afford the new settlers some of the necessities that their predecessors lacked.

Bus Service Routes

Of interest to note is the good work done in connection with bus services on the TeWhaiti-Murupara-Rotorua route. Representations of the Chamber have' resulted in an earlier timetable being instituted giving some extra two hours in Rotorua besides connections with Auckland bound service cars. The Chamber hopes to have remainder of its representations put into effect in the near future when it is anticipated that another bus will be permanently situated in Murupara in order that the N.Z. Road Services may give a daily service to both Rotorua and Whakatane. It is hoped also that when this bus is available that the departure time for the bus from Whakatane will be delayed in order to give shoppers further time in the town.

Tar Sealing

The branch’s interest is also centred on local improvements. Representations have been made to the appropriate authorities in an endeavour to have the main road through the township tar sealed and it is hoped that this matter too will meet with success. The necessity of the work being done is apparent to any traveller who has travelled over the dusty roads of the district. Telephone Service Link

>;lm their request for improved telephonic facilities the branch has had encouraging replies. It is expected that in the near future the-Post, and Telegraph Department will undertake the construction of a line linking the Murupara post office with Te Teko and thereby giving the district and also those further South another outlet. At present all telegraphic and telephonic communications from as far as Ruatahuna are conducted over a single circuit which' certainly does not tend to minimise delays to toll traffic.' The branch has also asked that the present line between Murupara and Rotorua be duplicated. • With the influx of new farmers in the district the present postal facilities have caused much discussion and in seeking the establishment of a new post office and telegraph exchange the branch has acted on information that at least some 25 farmers in Galatea besides about 12 residents and busipess people in Murupara are in need of telephones. At the moment the post office is being conducted under a private agreement and the facilities for increasing the size of the exchange are not available in the building. Introduction of Power

If the branch is at all successful in its present undertaking, that of bringing electricity into the area it will have gained a major object for the community generally. This will mean an aleviation of perhaps one of the greatest hardships of the farmers and the country dwellers. At present an endeavour is being made to have the area incorporated with the Bay of Plenty Power Board who has already had in mind the needs of the district. The undertaking would be one of a major nature involving large quantities of material and at the same time the power situation would have to be given careful consideration. The branch however is not daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking and eventually hopes for success.

Other matters which the branch hopes to be able to concentrate on in the near future are road problems, and the possibility of a rail connection to serve the district.