GISBORNE LOOKS SOUTH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19454, 13 October 1937, Page 3

GISBORNE LOOKS SOUTH

ROAD, RAIL AND AIR AUCKLAND APPREITENSTVE ACTIVE SUPPORT URGED "Gisborne is included in the Auckland provincial district, but has tended more and more in recent years to look south rather than north," remarks the Auckland Herald. "That is because communications with Napier and Wellington are being improved far more rapidly than with Auckland. Gisborne and her rich hinterland oddly named Poverty Bay have long felt their isolation and. now that it is being reduced, the relief comes from the south. "The tendency was begun by a better road and may be confirmed by rait and air connections. The railway connection is being made from Napier, not from Taneatua. East Coast Airways are also based on llawke's Bay, and the latest report anticipates a connection being made in a few weeks with the trunk air lines at Palmerston North. "The trend once again is away from Auckland and it is chastening to reflect that Auckland has not done anything to correct the southward pull. "The suggestion of an AucklandGisborne air service comes from Gisborne but much preparatory work must be done. Landing grounds at Opotiki, Tauranga and Rotorua will have to be improved and radio direction apparatus installed on the mountainous section of the route. Meanwhile the southern route is practically clear and will be operating in a few weeks. "Merits Study and Action" "Surely it should be Auckland's business to give active support to Gisborne's plans to fly northward and to hasten their fruition. The same applies to other transport media by road, rail and sea. "The whole problem of better communications with the East Coast merits study and action. The rail link between Pokeno and Paeroa is part of any programme and beyond that is the improvement of communications between the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay. The topography raises difficulties, but better motor and stock routes, adequate shipping services and an air line should minimise these and place Auckland once again in closer rapport with the provincial outpost at Gisborne. "If the Chamber of Commerce were to undertake the preparation of a report on the whole subject, it would help to fix public attention and clear the way for action."