For the Record

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 47, 12 May 1987, Page 2

For the Record

May 1 apologise to Mr "Upyou Knockers"for daring to ask questions and seek statistical information on issues and recent population trends in Ohakune. I obviously strayed into a very sensitive area for Mr "Up you Knockers" to warrant such a response that effectively smokescreened the issues being questioned and was so eloquently damaging to myself. If my involvement over the past 12 years in the develcpment of Miro Park and Southridge — improving the area from a derelict farm to the point where this project is about to produce around $30,000 in rates to lessen the burden on local people is "knocking" the town, then I am guilty. Mr Editor, the above is all irrelevant to the questions raised in my original letter. 1 believe that from time to time we must all ask questions and seek factual answers as to where we are

at, where we are going, and at what cost. My line of work places me in close contact with many of the grass roots problems of the community and like many people such as Mr Palmer, 1 have been deeply concerned over certain aspects of Ohakune's development and trends in recent years. Fears that Ohakune as a community is slipping back may well be unfounded but couid your newspaper supply factual answers to some of the questions raised on population trends.

Bruce

Wilde

The Department of Statistics quote the following figures: The 1986 census night population of Ohakune was 1496. Raetihi's total was 1323. The 1981 census night figures were 1481 for Ohakune and 1247 for Raetihi. From these figures the Department of Statistics takes a figure of 1% population growth for Ohakune and 6.1% growth for Raetihi. The national average for the same period is 4.1% growth in population. The building permit figures quoted by the department are as follows: For the financial year to March 1986 there were 25 new house permits issued in Ohakune with a total value of $1,099,000 and permits for 11 flats with a total value of $472,000. For the same period in Raetihi 9 permits were issued for a total value of $360,000. No building permits for flats were issued in Raetihi in that period. The derpartment does not as yet have figures for the whole of the 1986-1987 financial year but does have quarterly figures. These figures, from April to December 1986, are as follows: In Ohakune 17 new house permits were issued with a total value of $712,000 and 4 new flat permits were issued with a total value of $129,000. In Raetihi 6 new house permits with a value of $304,000 were issued. No new flats permits were issued in Raetihi in that period. Congratulations to Ruapehu College for its entertaining production of 'Star Blaze\ Sue Allomes, her cast, backstage workers, parents and pupils did well to present such a modern concept of a musical play.

The colourful costumes, exciting effects and select sets combined to give the cast a spirited backing for their performance. There were varying degrees of talent in the cast, but each person did their best to contribute to an overall enjoyable evening. My only criticism would be that the band exceeded their role of accompanying the cast, to almo^T-taking over the production. 1'm sure the words of the songs were clever and an integral part of the story. But I couldn't hear them above the band. The performers had learnt so much, it was a pity their efforts were often drowned out. Again, congratulations to the College for succeeding in giving the public a delightful evening's entertainment.

Keitha

Journeaux