Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 1949 COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 50, 12 October 1949, Page 4

Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 1949

COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS?

There seems a tendency amongst Taurariga protagonists of the idea that their locality is the logical one for the Bay or Plenty’s sea outlet to “count their chickens” even before the fresh-laid eggs have cooled. That was certainly the attitude of the chairman of the Tauranga Harbour Board, Mr J. D. Alach, at the Rotorua conference on Friday when he said it was the “fairly definite” intention jf the Government to build wharves for the port of Tauranga on the Mt Maunganui side of the harbour.

He might have added, but refrained from adding, the qualification that that is the Government’s fairly definite intention only if it decides to build a port at Tauranga at all. But, so far, there is no official justification for the assumption that any such move has been definitely decided.

It is possible, even probable, if Wbakatano’s representations to Wellington get the attention this district’s just claims merit, that no decision as to the site of the port will be made by the Government until the possibilities of the Whakatane Harbour scheme have been fully investigated. It is also possible that the optimists at Tauranga might have to face a bitter disappointment when the/ Government’s final decision is announced.

Perhaps it was that unpalatable possibility which goaded the Mayor of Tauranga, Mr L. Pt. Wilkinson, to say it was a pity that the Whakatane proposal had come forward at all, prompted his further reported comment that “no one in their wildest imaginings could conceive of a pert at Whakatane,” and his appeal to the Whakatane people, “Let them abandon the idea and let us all move forward together.” He might have added “to build a bigger and bettc • Tauranga.” For his satisfac : on, and that of anyone else who shares his illinformed opinion, it seems necessary to repeat that the plan under discussion has been carefully prepared by an engineer who is less likely to indulge in “wild imaginings” on such a subject than any layman. Moreover, it has been carefully examined and endorsed by other qualified men. That it has-, sufficient professional backing not to be dismissed lightly by the Ministry of Works we have no reason to doubt. As to its practicability, we are content to accept the opinions of men whose business and life work it is to know.

It is pleasing to see that all our own local bodies are working on this thing as a team. The plan has the unqualified support of the Harbour Board, the Cham-

ber' of Commerce, the County Council and the Borough Council. • !

Figures produced at Rotorua concerning the exportable production of the-Counties of Tauranga, Whakutane, Opotiki, Rotorua and Taupo were impressive f The “breakdown” of those figures would be even more impressive as evidence to further the claims of this part of the Bay, because there.is little doubt they would show that the Whakatane and Opotiki Counties represent by far the most productive section of the area concerned.

In view of the strength of the argument in favour of Whakatane’s claims, Tauranga’s anxiety is understandable. But we have no intention of letting the impression that the thing is already “sewn up” get abroad.

While we can understand the T'auranga desire to soft pedal the. merits of the Brebner plan, we still propose to do our utmost to have that plan fully investigated by the proper authorities oefore any final decision is made.