AS GOOD AS NAPIER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19699, 3 August 1938, Page 16

AS GOOD AS NAPIER

WAIKANAE PROSPECTS VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS EXAMPLES FOR GISBORNE TOURISTS AND TRADING "There are two towns outside the cities which attract me more than any others—Hastings and Gisborne. I have taken up residence here because I believe that Gisborne will develop extensively, and will become one of the chief watering places of New Zealand," said Mr. E. H. Marriner, formerly in business in Christchurch, to a pressman to-day. "I have been here only a few days, but I have spent a good deal of time walking about the suburbs and in seeing thejown from as many points of view as possible. Tne wonderful assets which Gisborne has in the way of natural attractions to tourists have interested me immensely," he added. "There is no reason why this town should not have as good facilities at the Waikanae Beach as are found at Napier. "Wonderful Opportunity" Mr. Marriner said that he had visited both Timaru and Napier, and had heard people in the South Island say of the first of these resorts that it was necessary to book accommodation weeks, and even months, in advance of their holiday trips. Timaru had benefited greatly from its possession and development of the beach, and Napier had done likewise. Gisborne also could benefit in proportion to the trouble taken in making the best of the Waikanae Beach. There was a wonderful opportunity at the Waikanae for putting Gisborne thoroughly on the tourist map of the Dominion. "I should suggest that thot;e responsible for beach development might work to a carefully considered plan," Mr. Marriner stated. "It is a vyaste of money to work piecemeal, for the result usually falls well short of what could be obtained with the same money, spent according to a long-term plan. There need be no lavish outlay at once, but the organisers should see that whatever is created works in with the eventual objective. Gisborne's Rivers "Regarding the rivers in Gisborne, it would be of immense benefit if they could be rendered immune from tidal fluctuations in level. I don't know whether that would be possible or advisable from an engineering point of view, but unless there is some strong reason for doing nothing, the damming /of the rivers should be one of the features of the eventual plan for the development of Gisborne's natural beauties. If trie mud-flats could be covered all the time, it would add greatly to the attractions of the district. We were able to raise the level of the Avon in Christchurch, but, of course, that was a "small job compared with raising' that of your larger rivers here."

Stating that he had had some connection with organising public movements in Christchurch, Mr. Marriner added that he would be glad lo give any possible assistance to the associated bodies in Gisborne who were working for the improvement of tne Waikanae Beach. He was glad to that organisation was proceeding here, and he could sincerely compliment me workers on what had been dene.