FUTURE OF PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4519, 24 January 1923, Page 2

FUTURE OF PAEROA.

BUSINESS MAN’S SUGGESTION. AIMING AT PROGRESS. "PAEROA JUNCTION.’’ What appears to bo one of tire happiest ideas for promoting .the progress of Paeroa liras been thought out by Mr J. T. Brown, of tllie Paei'oa Engineering Co. His suggestion is that tlie residents should, by the methods customarily adopted in such cases, request that tlie name “Paeroa" should ire augmented by the word “Junction.” PROTECTING TRADITIONS. In the past it lias’ been suggested, on at least one occasion, that the name of the town should be altered. This, however, did not meet with a favourable reception, as it was wisely considered that, with the elimination of the name Paeroa many historical traditions would be lost fop ever. Mr Brown’s present suggestion, however, in no way detracts from any associations attached .to Paeroa, while to any ■who have the interests of the town at heart it will be obvious that the name Paeroa Junction must add additional importance to the town. NOTICE OF MOTION. In keeping with his suggestion. Mr Brown is giving notice to move at the next meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, “That the necessary steps be taken to have the name of the .town altered from Paeroa to Paeroa Junction.” REASONS FOR CHANGE. Seen yesterday by a representative of the “Gazette,” Mr Brown, in giving his reasons for suggesting the change, said he had come to the conclusion that the alteration would immediately give Paeroa a distinction that, by reason of present and prospective conditions, it was entitled to. At present, he said, Paeroa was the railway junction for end Waihi, while at a later date it would undoubtedly be the main junction in these parts for the East Coast railway. It is, therefore, he staid, not unlikely that the tpwn will, in accordance with the usual practice, ultimately be named a junction. “My suggestion may be merely anticipating what must eventually happen,” he continued, “but I am convinced that it would be a good move on our part if we allowed' no stone .to be unturned to bring about the alteration now. Geographically, Paeroa is obviously, the place that will constitute tlie main junction in this part of the Island for the East Coast railway.”

NO OPPOSITION ANTICIPATED. “Do you anticipate any opposition to your suggestion ?” asked the reporter.

“No,” replied ,Mr Brown; “none whatever. In the’ first ■ place the a.tleration would entail no financial responsibility whatever. There is nothing to lose and much to gain. I ■think, in fact, that, all the business men would be quite unanimous. The very fact that the name Paeroa Junction appeared in the railway timetables, instead of Paerpp, would call attention to the town. In the same way, travellers passing through', even if they, did not leave a train, would refer to .the junction, and it would, as with other junctions, become quite a common, every-day thing to hear a passenger say: ‘The next station is Paeroa Junction,’ or, ‘When do we» get tp Paeroa Junction ’’ ” UNANIMITY WANTEH

In concluding, Mr ‘Brown said he hoped all the business men of the .town would give his suggestion the most, careful thought, so that when the matter came up for consideration they would be able, if it found favour, to push the matter .through without any delay.