PROPOSED HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 211, 24 July 1939, Page 2

PROPOSED HIGHWAY

WHAKATANE MEETING The following interesting leader appeared! in the last issue of the YVliakatane Beacon :—. “Considerable reaction since the last public meeting called bv tlm Mayor to consider and lend voice to the official YVhakatane view of the proposed jtew route to the East coast., has Ic'd to a group of well-known citizens sponsoring yet- another meeting, to discuss this very vital matter. The new meeting will take place to-mor-row evening in the County -Chambers. It- behoves all responsible citizens who have the welfare of their town at heart to make a point of attending, as it is intended to forward the resultan representations direct to Mr. A. G. Hultquist. who will be asked to lose no time in placing them in thc proper quarters in order to have the Public Works Department fully conversant with the wishes of the people of Wliakatane. Since the colourless outcome of the initial meeting there has been a strong movement. locally, which desires tlrat something definite and) direct should go forward to the authorities, indicating in no- uncertain terms that the popular route for the new road should be through the town via Quay Street, and over to Oliope by way of the heads. The Beacon has lent strong support to the proposal, which is calculated to place Wliakatane on the- map: and indicate to an increasing number of visitors its growth and importance as a town, port, and trading centre. Should the road) be allowed to take the Maraetotara route, through-going traffic will touch barely the outskirts of the residential area, and a wonderful advertisement will he lost. From good authority we have it- that the B. is debating wluit route the road will take. Now is the psychological moment to bring forcibly to the notice of the engineers the wishes of the Wliakatane people in this important- matter. If by apathy antL disinterestedness, the first- opportunity was missed, then there is no reason why this second attempt should, no be availed of to the utmost. Here is a chance to bring Wliakatane tothe fore. Petty differences, which, unfortunately appeared to cloud the issue, in the controversy following the previous meeting, must, be droplied in the interests of the town as a whole. Too long has Wliakatane been a- back number. Its growth has been the natural outcome of the broad and of plain that compose its wide hack country. Modern, progressive and sound, we have something, to show the world, in our well constructed business section. Why not make the most of it and by urging that the new highway follow the route suggested by the Minister of PublicWorks himself, bring to our centre, a continuous and growing stream of visitors and tourists, passing through, to the East Coast.”