The Gisborne Herald IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBORNE, MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1950 ADVANCE GISBORNE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23219, 3 April 1950, Page 6

The Gisborne Herald IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBORNE, MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1950 ADVANCE GISBORNE

“(CONNECT the Gisborne district with f lie railway of the Dominion ami vou will add another province to New Zealand, declared the lale Mr. Robert McNab. Minister of Lands in the Ward Government, many years ago. Corning as he did from the lich farm lands of Southland with its development tar in advance of the East Coast district in those days., the Minister, with his practical experience behind him, readily visualised the potentialities of this rich and fertile area. ... The intervening years have seen the gradual elimination ot Gisborne’s isolation. Rond, rail and air services ha\e given place to the discomfort of the coastal services which long handicapped tin's Cinderella district. The march nl: progress continues. Ihe building of modern highways, both north and south, proceeds with much satisfaction to Gisborne residents. The demand for better communication with the Bav of Plenty and Auckland is being kept before the Government of‘the day. together with, the paramount importance of (lie early resumption of overseas shipping from the port of Gisborne. Regional Council Commended It is gratifying therefore to mark the activities of the GisborneEast Coast Regional Planning Council which were reviewed in the annual report presented at last week’s meeting. Regional planning is essentially a long-range work. The council is to be warmly commended for the attention that its members are devoting.to planning for future advancement, and the provision of amenities worthy of this prosperous community. Much satisfaction will be derived from the fact that the just claims for highway improvements have been recognised by the powers that be, and that there are definite prospects that a longrange policy will eventually be embarked upon to provide sealed highways connecting with the modern highway system of the Dominion. This will certainly remove a bugbear that has prevented many outside motorists venturing to come to Gisborne. Thanks are due to the broader outlook of the members of the Main Highways Board and its competent officials. Support For Cabin Camp Project Special interest attaches to the project to establish an up-to-date cabin camp at the Waikanae Beach, the construction of which, together with other improvements contemplated, will undoubtedly attract numerous visitors from other parts of New Zealand to “Sunny Gisborne.” Our sandy beaches, in such close proximity to the town, are unrivalled as a holiday attraction, and the scheme should command generous public support, The provision of a Civic Centre for Gisborne is a matter the Regional Planning Council would like to see taken up with some enthusiasm. As it does not entail any immediate outlay, the Borough and County Councils should at least commence to plan out a suitable scheme of a provisional nature. Some of the larger centres, with commendable foresight, have already embarked on such a programme, and others are actively planning on these lines. The time is now opportune for Gisborne to make a similar move. A site lias already been ear-marked for this purpose and restrictions have been imposed on the land in this area. It is therefore desirable that the proposal should be given further careful consideration and plans prepared for civic amenities of which the future residents of Greater Gisborne will be justly proud.