Thames Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1938. POWER FOR COAST ROAD.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 September 1938, Page 2

Thames Star

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1938. POWER FOR COAST ROAD.

“With malic* toward* non#: with charity for all; with firmne** in the right, a* God give* u* to *•• the right.”—Lincoln.

The long-deferred matter of securing electric power for the Thames Coast bays as far as Tapu or Te Mata has at last been finalised. The position has now reached the stage when, with the necessary guarantees completed, the Thames Valley Power Board’s requirements have been met, and it is merely a question of how soon a start can be made with the reticulation work. The successful conclusion of the preliminaries leading up to this most satisfactory position is due entirely to the efforts of the Thames Chamber of Commerce, which has performed a signal service to the community at large. It is understood that work will be undertaken this summer, and that before next winter power and lighting will be available in the various bays. The supply of current along this popular highway will do much to enhance its value as a holiday resort. It will lighten the labours of the Aveek-end baching parties, and will bring pleasure'and comfort to an even-increasing number Avho use these bays for permanent summer residences. There is another aspect A\-hich may, or may not, have been provided for in the scheme, and that is the lighting of the roadAA’ay at dangerous corners. Motorists using the Coast Road at night-time realise the difficulties of negotiating these corners with headlights only. Properly-placed road lights at various sharp bends would greatly assist safe driving, and if power is to be available this is a matter Avhich should be considered. With the expenditure of oVer £BOOO along this highway, as announced by the Minister for Public Works this week, and the reticulation of the various bays, plus the constantlyincreasing demand for baches and camp sites, the future of the Coast Road as a holiday resort is more than assured. Certainly it will be called upon in the very near future to carry twice or three times its present summer week-end motor traffic, and the questions of parking places and motor camps will have to be faced. The coming of electric poAver Avill facilitate all later improA’ements and help pave the Avay for more rapid development. Thames people even yet only dimly perceive the potentialities of the Coast Road. They forget that the motor-car has brought this area, Avith its sunny bays and bush-clad hills, Avithin comparatively short distances of towns like Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Matamata, Hamilton and Cambridge. Each year sees more A'isitors from those districts, and they all have to be catered for and expect modern amenities. It is fortunate, therefore, that the position was realised by the Chamber of Commerce, and that its efforts to provide the most necessary of modern amenities haVe been eroAvned Avith success.