WHAKATANE PLEA FOR TWO MORE HOTELS AND WHOLESALE LICENSES

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1949, Page 8

WHAKATANE PLEA FOR TWO MORE HOTELS AND WHOLESALE LICENSES

P.A. ROTORUA, October 5. Before the Licensing Control Commission, two further hotels at Whakatane and one or more wholesale licences were advocated by the Town Clerk of Whakatane, L. D. Lovelock, at Rotorua to-day. He said his Council considered one hotel should be of “three star” standard, and the other “four star”. A town plan had been prepared which provided for an ultimate population of 10,000. There was distinct evidence of a shortage of licensed accommodation in Whakatane. People who could not obtain rooms there were forced to go as far afield as Rotorua.

Several sporting fixtures which would have been held in Whakatane had been held instead in Rotorua. There was only one private hotel in Whakatane. Even if another were built, it would not assist the travelling public, as it would be filled immediately by permanent guests, so his Council considered.

In answer to Mr H. E. Barrowclough (for L. D. Nathan and Co.), witness said that portions of Whakatane were subject to flooding. He was not fully conversant with harbour proposals. He considered that two harbours could be operated economically at Tauranga and Whakatane. W. S. Spence (Handock and Co.) said the Council was of opinion that two new licences should provide 60 beds.

Mr A. M. Goulding, S.M. (chairman) congratulated the witnesses on tl manner in which they had marshalled their facts. “That” is the kind of evidence we want”, he said.