BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 30 April 1952, Page 3

BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION TAUPO

MATTERS OF INTEREST DISCUSSED * "It has been thought by some people in Taupo that the Businessmen's Association is simply an association for the benefit of retailers" said Mr C. Vedder, the Association's president, at a general meeting last week. "That is very wrong," he eontinued. "Its purpose is to bring together on common ground business men of all trades and professions More co-operation has been shown ampngst the members of the business community in Taupo in the past few months than could be obtained at any time in the past twenty years." Reviewing the work of the Association Mr Vedder mentioned the reiailer's agreement on opening and closing hours during the holiday period; the setting up of a eredit protection organisation for the benefit of Taupo businessmen; efforts to iron out anomalies in the retailing of eggs; an agreement amongst confectioners regarding retail prices; negotiations with the Ratepayers Association concerning a recommended playing area for children; steps being taken to provide holiday entertainment for visitors, particularly at the Christmas and New Year periods; and the question of unfair competition experienced by genuine traders from outside "hawkers. Childrens Play Area. Opinions were very evenly divided, regarding the site for a play area for children. The report in the Taupo Times showed that the Town Board favoured the site of the old bowling green, but this was not considered satisfactory by the majority of the speakers. Mr W. Stevens outlined the sites considered by the Ratepayer's Association, including the south-west corner of the camping ground and the Roberts Street triangle in front of the Drug Store. He considered that it was not desirable to use the former site until the camping ground was moved and that might not take place for some years. With adequate fencing from traffic dangers he thought that the triangle site would be a better proposition. This area, it was stated, was now auder the control of the Horticultural Society for beautifying% and the ques tion of arranging a meeting with this organisation was discussed. However, after several speakers had referred tc the exposed nature of the site on cold days, the necessity of discussing the question with women's organisations, and the expense of providing adequate fencing, the sub|ect was dropped pending the report of a joint committee set up by the Association and the Ratepayers. Catering For Tourists. Three matters which were discussed. aimed to improve the attraction of the town to tourists. There was, first, the lack of transport facilities to connect with the sight-seeing trips of Wairakei was raised. It was decided to write to the manager of the Hawke's Bay Motor Co. asking that a sight seeing tour to Wairakei at least once each da^ during the season be arranged. Next. was the provision of baths within walking distance of the main street. It was stated that the only water hot enough to pipe as far as ihe town area was at the hot sulphur spring beyond the golf eourse. The expense of carrying out a suitable scheme from this source would be too great for Taupo to stand. On the third point Mr Wright suggested that efforts should be made to establish an information service for Taupo where visitors could go to find out about launch trips, dinghies for hire etc. He also considered that something could be done by launch owners to take turns in arranging day and haif-day trips

around the lake for sight seeing purposes. Car Parking. The marking of the business area for angle-parking, and the possibility of introducing a limit of half-hour parking in certain parts of the main street was forecast by Mr W. Stevens, and he considered that business people should shortly be asked to park across the road from the ^shops in order to leave plenty of space for the sfyopping public.. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr C. McLean moved a resolution of congratulations to the executive, and the secretary during the few months since the Association was formed, whilst the president paid a tribute to the work of Mr Currie who had worked tirelessly as secretary. Mr Stevens suggested that business people should send to the executive, preferably in writing, details of any problems which would be of interest to the Association.