A BRIGHTER WAIHI

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXV, Issue 8920, 26 May 1936, Page 2

A BRIGHTER WAIHI

MAYOR APPEALS TO PROPERTY OWNERS

IMPROVEMENTS TO PREMISES

COMMUNITY LIGHTING SCHEME

The following is the text of the appeal to be made to properly owners and business people generally to the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallriutt, with a view to the adoption of a policy which, it is hoped, will result in the brightening up of the business area of the town:

It was stated at a recent meeting of the Borough Council that a new era in public life had set in, and it was hoped that Wailii would move along wtih the times, and this is an ; appeal to business people and pro- | perty owners to get together and do j something in the desired direction. ; Visiting Ministers of the Crown, j commercial travellers and others are unanimous in paying high tribute to | the neat and clean appearance of the j approach to the town from either j end, the Martha Hill and the im- i provements carried out generally by , the Beautifying Society and the j council. But these visitors also j make an indictment to the effect that j the one blot on the appearance of the j town is the lack of lighting in the j business area and the want of paint J on the roofs and outsides of many of j the principal buildings. These pre- j sent an untidy and dilapidated ap- i pearance and constitute an undesir- j able advertisement in an otherwise | prosperous town. Repairs and gene- j ral renovations in some cases are j urgently needed, and a general brightening up would tend to place business premises in a more favourable light, and which should be reflected in the returns. THE CALL FOR OPTIMISM A correspondent in a recent issue of the “Wailii Telegraph” protested in rather a facetious manner that the valuer would penalise those who fiad used paint for the roof and replaced old sheets of iron. Such a protest, however, is merely based on supposition and has no foundation in fact. The rates, being struck on the annual value, are governed by the rental value and would certainly not be altered by the use of a little paint. The question was raised in the first instance as affecting certain business premises in the main thoroughfare of the town, and not in the same degree to isolated dwellings. The extension of the system of community lighting would enhance the appearance of the business area and give visitors the impression that Wailii had. with no exception, adopted the role of an up-to-date town and prided itself in presenting a bright and cheerful welcome to those arriving during the evening hours. It must also be conceded that the adoption of a programme of enterprise and confidence would probably lead to more employment. Wailii, as a mining centre, is by no means played out. There are great possibilities ahead, and what we urgently need is a spirit of optimism and the creation of community enterprise.

LIVE CHAMBER NEEDED

It seems that the secret of success in most undertakings is governed by the degree of organisation adopted, and here may I be permitted to point out, lies the weakness which is apparent amongst the business community at the present time. During one stage of the history of our almost famous town there existed a very live Chamber of Commerce, and I think even before that, there functioned something in the shape of a business association. There are numerous matters of vital interest to the business community which should be rightly handled by such a body. It was pointed out at the council meeting that the local authority had much important, business of its own to attend to, and I sincerely trust that in the interests of our town generally that some of our more enterprising business men will onco more offer their valuable aid and experience in making an attempt to resuscitate that once active and useful adjunct—the Wailii Chamber of Commerce.