PROGRESS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 23 January 1952, Page 4

PROGRESS

OROGRESS may be# described as a restless urge inspired by what has been philosophically phrased, "the spirit of drome diseontent". M'an, we are told, never is, but always to be, blest. Elderly people who have selected Taupo as a paradise for the enjoyment of their retirement in peace and quiet, may feel a little .disturbed at the evidence they see about them of a quickening of civic consciousness. But progress cannot be stayed, except at a price. The price is stagnation and decay. A community which elects to stay put becomes 'eventually a place where "moth and dust doth corrupt." There is much wisdom in the saying, 'the old man for counsel; the young for action." Taupo is ♦a young community. The door of opportunity is now open, and there is, in expression and action, a spirit of enterprise in the ranks of the youriger generation of citizens now participating in movements for advancing the interest of the district. But Taupo historically speaking, is also a very old community, the interest of old and young should be mierged in a composite framework, with counsel on the one hand, and leadership in action on the other. So much for the long view. Of more immediate importance is the necessity for arranging the programme of progress on a system of priorities. There is, first of all, the question of public ,amenities, to be considered from both the residential and tourist angles. Take the public ]thoroug:hfares — namely c \a 1 1 e d! streets, roads and premises. Dust, could fairly be described as Pu'blic Nuisance No. 1. It is the natural and inevitable concomitant of pumice. Road formation, rain, erosion and traffic add up to dust. The nuisance can only be dealt with effectively by systematic, progressive action. 1 It has been remiarked that. tbo Taupo township and Taupo extension

have been ^.affected by too many roads, ^ • !eh means, irie'dently, too many intersections. It is a fact that strangers, and even residents of comparatively recent standing, do get lost in the maze of streets and intersections, and their predicament ih intensified by the inadequacy of the street name plates (now being pro gressively dealt with.) Be all that as it may, the cure for the worry is a programme policy, clearing the corr.ers should be persisted with until their is safe visibility at all points. Eventually the soil itself should be sheared off entirely, It is satisfactory to note that the paving of Tongariro iStreet is now in hand. From this, Taupo^s main street, road improvements should hand out on a definite and continuous programme. Other aspects of a programme policy for Taupo will be received in later issues. In the meantime, some serious thinking on the subject of Taupo's Street, Roads, and Avenues as a priority item on the list of our public amenities would be in sea son.