'Moonraker' plans public poll

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 98, 17 December 1970, Page 1

'Moonraker' plans public poll

The "Moonraker" International Tourist Hotel company is arranging for a poll to be taken to determine the people 's wishes with regard to hotel premises in the area.

The recent decision of the Licensing Control Commis- . sion stated that the choice of sites must be decided on which application best served the needs of Taupo and the travelling public. Since there is no evidence that the Commission conducted a poll before reaching its decision, it would appear that they had no substantial evidence for what the public s needs really were. As the Act under which it is governed makes no provision for a poll to be taken at , this stage the Moonraker company proposes engaging the National Research Bureau to carry out an accepted and scientific survey. A spokesman for the company said that it would appear evident that a majority of the public in the area, as well as tourist operators both within New Zealand and overseas, definitely favour a form of hotel development along the lines proposed by the Moonraker company at Wharewaka Point in preference to a tavern type of development in the town. itself. Although both developments could be warranted, the issue really is mainly a question of priorities. Obviously, positive con firmation of this is of paramount importance, particular-

ly if further licenses are to be granted to the area in the future, said the spokesman,