TOWN AND DISTRICT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 67, 30 December 1946, Page 4

TOWN AND DISTRICT

IT is pleasing to reflect that Whakatane and the Rangitaiki, have marched steadily into their own. The war years afforded no respite in this respect. The district during the past year has attracted an ever-increasing number of new settlers, while the town has caught the eye of traders and manufacturers in the larger centres and has enjoyed a minor boom as a result. Everywhere there is progress and building activity. In the words of the Building Inspector we can look forward to permits averaging from £B,OOO to £IO,OOO per month for a long time ahead. Enquiries from all over the Dominion are regularly reaching us from those who desire to start up in business and it would be safe to say that if all demands could be met, the population of the Borough would substantially increase overnight. The problems which confront both country and town are naturally major ones which can only be met by the wise and far-sighted policy, of our local legislators. Community services in the Borough, reading and other problems in the County demand careful and thorough investigation. Ohope looms as one of the most prominent considerations on the agenda for 1947. Here we have a magnificent beach in a perfect setting which is the Cinderella of both town and county. Its growth demands far more than the passing interest of a roading authority, and its development may now be regarded in the light of a national asset. Ohope at least must be the foremost brainchild of the new year. Once again, the War Memorial question will resolve itself into the 'direct goodwill of the residents of the district. The year already has many facets to its crowded days. The fulfilment or otherwise of the plans we have in mind for them depends like most other things largely on ourselves.