A POPULAR RESORT

Wairarapa Age, 22 April 1927, Page 5

A POPULAR RESORT

IMPROVING CASTLEPOINT. SOCIETY FORMED. SUGGESTED SCHEME OF WORK. At a meeting of Masterton residents last evening, convened by the P.I.M. Committee, a Castlepoint Improvement Society was formed to popularise and improve Castlepoint. Mr. J. B. Rue presided over a fair attendance of the public. Mt. F. Norris outlined a scheme proposed for improving the resort, stating that it should prove a good proposition, for Masterton and the district. The cemetery was a disgrace to the town and district, and needed placing in order. The trustees had given peumission to have the grounds beautified and placed in repair. Shade trees, a good supply of water, and bathing sheds were wanted, and a rubbish heap wanted cleaning up. He had received several offers of assistance.

The chairman endorsed the remarks of Mr. Norris, but said that a great necessity was to 1 get the Whakataki Creek bridged. He was of the opinion that if Masterton residents showed that they were sincere in their efforts to “put Castlepoint on the map,” tho County Council would be only too willing to assist. A point that appealed to him was that if Masterton people could be induced to visit Castlepoint instead of Wellington when a trip to: the seaside was desired, the money they spent would remain in Masterton. The improvement of the resort would be an excellent proposition from Masterton’s point of view. He thought it advisable not to miss the planting Season, a 3 it was essential to get ghade. Mr. L. Robinson indicated the linei oh which it was proposed to plant trees. A NEW ROAD ROUTE, Mr. A. T. P. Hubbard considered the programme a commendable one, and one that should be gone on with as soon as possible. He thought they would be quite justified in approaching the Chamber of Commerce and solicit their sympathy in the scheme. Referring to the present access of Castlepoint, which he observed was a great disability on account of the 'Whakataki Hill, Mr. Hubbard drew attention to 1 an alternative route via Otahome that should not be lost sight of. If the road was completed it would provide one of the finest marine drives in New Zealand, besii.es a better route. As far as ha knew the available building land at Castlepoint was taken up, and he thought it advisable that inquiries should be made as to whether further ground was available.

Mr. H. M. Boddington: “Did the sub-committee find out the feeling or the residents as to the advisability of shifting the license from Whakataki to Castlepoint?” The chairman replied that the residents were averse to the proposals There was a hall, however, at Whakataki that they might be able to shift' to Castlepoint. BRIDGING WHAKATAKI CREEK. Mr. R. Russell expressed the opinion that they should concentrate their energies and finances this season to bridging the Whakataki Creek. Last Christmas, he observed, over twenty cars were stuck there. If the second ford alone were bridged this season a good service would be accomplished. A ten-foot bridge would be ample, and he suggested to form a deputation to wait on the council regarding the matter. Mr. A. D. Low said he was impressed w?th the necessity of bridging th® Whakataki. Efc considered that an accommodation house would be a big thing to Castlepoint and Masterton. On the motion of the chairman, sec* onded by Mr. Russell, it was decided to form a Castlepoint Improvement Society and that those present form a committee. Mr. Norris asked for suggestions for raising funds. He proposed holding a shop day and an entertainment, to issue collecting lists, and to forward five hundred circulars to settlers, with a view to securing funds. Messrs. T. McCracken, A. Rigg, R. Russell, A. Young and A. T. P. Hubbard were appointed a sub-committee, on the motion of Mr. Russell, to wait on the Castlepoint County Council with, a view of getting tho Whakataki Creek bridged. Mr Knapp drew attention to the fact that a sum of £BOO had been placed on the estimates some years ago for the bridging of a creek in the district, a work that had never been done. It might be possible for the money to be transferred to be expended on the Whakataki Creek. _ Some discussion ensued as to the raising of finds. Several present offered donations, and the opinion was expressed that a direct appeal to the public should be made.