OHAWE BEACH CAMPAIGN

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 October 1934, Page 9

OHAWE BEACH CAMPAIGN

Improved Facilities for the Convenience of Visitors

ERECTION OF PAVILION

GOST ESTIMATED AT £SOO In recent years the increasing popu-, larity of Ohawe Beach as a summer resort for South Taranaki residents has imphasised the need for more up-to-date means of accommodating visitors, and in this connection the Ohawe Beach - Improvement Society has an ambitious scheme to raise funds for the erection of a pavilion. Plans have been prepared of a handsome •Qobiblestone faced structure estimated to cost £SOO on completion and it is the intention of the society to erect at least one half of the building this summer.

In addition to this proposed new construction work considerable improvement 'has been effected during the winter months on the beach proper, where blasting operations have resulted in the clearance of a large bathing “pool” covering at least one and a-half acres. With favourable tides the beach at present is. sanding up nicely, and by the commencement ©f the season the conditions for surf bathing should be ideal. In the Basin Reserve a scheme of tree planting has been undertaken voluntarily by the Maori residents of Ohawe, who have shown commendable enterprise in an endeavour -to make the beach all the more attractive. The trees planted are young pohutukawas which the natives have purchased from toll monies collected from visitors on special occasions.

A meeting of members of the society was held at Hawera last night to consider ways and means of raising funds for the new pavilion, plans of which, prepared by Mr Bay Syme B. Arch, A.N.Z.I.A. of Hawera, were before the meeting. Those present were Mr J. S. Barrow (chairman), Mr. H. Robinson (secretary), Mr and Mrs T. Surrey, Mr and Mrs S. Shalders, Mrs T. Wilson, Messrs. W. Syme, R. Millar and O, Ward. Mr I/. O. Hooker, who very generously had consented to act as honorary organiser of the campaign for funds, also was in attendance. It was pointed out that provision had been made in the plans for commodious dressing rooms, each 30ft. by 16ft . for men and women respectively, and a public shelter 35ft. by 10ft. across the front. In each dressing room there would be fresh water showers and conveniences. The total cost was estimated at £SOQ, but it was intended to erect the women’s dressing room first, if possible this summer, at a cost of £2OO. The men’s dressing room and the publia shelter would follow in that order as funds became available.

Mr Hooker said that the society had set itself the task of raising £2OO this year, and in his opinion the appeal should be made to the country people as well as the townspeople. He commended the society on its enterprise and said that the society’s “500” tournaments now in progress and the annual gala on New Year’s Bay were worthy of every public support. Mr Hooker suggested that the Hawera Swimming Club and the Ohawe Surf Life-Saving Club might be pleased to assist the campaign by holding a benefirst swimming carnival. Following a brief discussion, Mr and Mrs Surrey were appointed to take charge of suitable competitions to be conducted, and Messrs. Surrey, W. Syme and A. Brown were appointed a canvassing committee. A deputation also was appointed to wait upon the Mayor of Hawera (Mr J. E. Campbell) for the free use of the municipal baths and the power board and the swimming and surf clubs for their assistance in holding a carnival.

It was also decided to apply to the Hawera County Council for approval of the plans of the proposed newbuilding and of the site on which it is to be erected. To the architect a vote of thanks for his work in preparing the plans was carried by acclamation.