ISLAND AT WHAKA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 58, 30 October 1931, Page 4

ISLAND AT WHAKA

To the Editor. Sir, — Last week you published a letter from Mr. Philips regarding the island set aside for trees, etc-, at the Whaka terminus. I thought someone would get interested and reply, as even the most indifferent cannot help but agree that the space is far more valuable as a parking area or just as it was. Certainly we appreeiate a few trees and most of us love flowers, but there is a place for everything and in these days when ears are so prolific and when other countries are widening roads and rounding off corners, here we are curtailing what precious space we have. It is true what Mr. Philips said that cars have filled the parking area and lined the road each side as far as the Post Ofiice. In fact, I have seen them well along the next road toward the school. Take the buses alone; there is hardly room to pass one another. I have watched it being a more busy one than usual and yet nothing as it sometimes is. I should be interested to know whose pet idea it was; also who are the Beautifying Society and why all local residents are not invited to join. Now I must state a personal grievance. My shop is immediately opposite the proposed bus shelter which when erected will completely obscure my place from the parking area. At present anyone coming from the parking area has to make a detour round the island, whereas before it was a straight • cut. Therefore I have done little business from there during the week-end. On top of that car drivers realize there is little room to stand even for a few minutes outside my shop and so I lose business both ways. It seems to me that when one trys to be self-supporting and keep off the dole a little encouragement should be given rather than make things more difficult. I do not know who to approach in connection with the matter, one says "The plans are made and can't be altered" and another says, while not agreeing with it, "They've started it and they've got to finish it." I have just paid £20 for rates; am I not entitled to a voice? — I am, etc., MRS- L- MITTON.