Local & General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 20, 10 February 1948, Page 4

Local & General

Sealing Borough Roads Whakatane Borough Council workmen completed the second coating of tar-sealing along Quay Street and to the borough boundary on the Hillcrest Road, on Friday. The primary coating was also laid on Victoria Street. No Beauty Spot Behind the shopping area of Whakatane, from the Road Services De* pot to the end of the Strand at Commerce Street runs a road which could be a scenic drive. It is hardly that just now—unless one is interested in ashes, smells, decaying vegetable refuse, broken bottles and delapidated packing cases.

Rugby Ground Lease Last evening the Whakatane Domain Board gave authority to lease the Domain to the Rugby Union at 10 per cent of the gate money (but not exceeding £5 on any one occasion except for a rep. match, in which case the maximum should be £10), the whole position to be reviewed at the end of five years. Immediate levelling and grassing of the grounds by the Rugby Union was authorised after considerable discussion on the possible 'cost to. the Board.

Open-Air Theatre Going to the pictures at Murupara requires a certain hardihood. The seats are not plush-upholstered. They are planks lying across concrete blocks destined to become the foundations of the new theatre—when a permit comes through - to build it. The roof is the open sky, ceiling pattern the stars—if it doesn’t rain. The projection box is parked in the paddock, and looks as though it should be marked “Gents.” The screen itself is supported by substantial scaffolding. Playing Area Vandalism

“Why not put some on the culprit, plus feathers?” asked Cr W. Sullivan at last night’s meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council when the foreman-engineer, Mr W. S. Henderson reported that vandals had spread bitumen apparently taken from the County Council depot next door, all over the swings, slides and seats in the playing area opposite the Commercial Hotel. He said it would take hours to clean up the mess. The Council decided to report the matter to the police for action.

Embarrassing Popularity With the very best of intentions the Beacon last Friday published the fact that Mr R. Chapman was leaving for Marton this week. So he is. But a lot of people assumed he was not coming back, and he found a regular queue of his friends on the doorstep wanting to bid him a long, last farewell. Of course, there was the übiquitous house hunter, too. Most embarrassing for Mr Chapman. He rang yesterday to say he’ll be back in a fortnight.| Proves people read the Beacon, doesn’t it?

New Cadet Uniform A new uniform for school cadets A. has been approved, according to a statement issued by the Army Department. The new uniform will consist of a serge battledress blouse, identical with that worn by troops, except that it has no inside pockets; shorts of sporting pattern, full in the legs and fastened by short lapover belt and button; stockings in place of hose-tops and puttees. A contract has been placed and it is expected all cadets will be supplied within two years.