INFORMATION BUREAU.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 205, 29 August 1921, Page 2

INFORMATION BUREAU.

• m ■ A CITY WANT. (By a. m: fowldp.) When a city grows many difficulties confront both visitors and residents as to tin- existence and situation of different tilings. During the war many of the Allied Towers instituted Departments ' of Information. The idea was a splendid one, -but why should it be allowed to lapse in time of peace? Another ■feature of this idea was the erection in the streets of London of kiosks or information booths where soldiers particularly, could make inquiries on the situation of places, time-tables, etc. There is a need in this city for a central information bureau, so that people would know where to go to get prompt and correct information. Here is one instance of the need, in Auckland city thera are (iovernment Departments scattered about in twenty different buildings throughout the town. In A'aneouver they have a Publicity Bureau in charge of a director, and in 1!)1S £2.000 was spent, in lDl!>-20 £4,000 was spent, and 15000 was collected at the end of 1020. A series of leaflets, and attractive publications have been printed and distributed through different organisations in Canada and neighbouring American States. In the winter they have a regular rush of people from the country, spending- daily many pounds each in the city. Many wealthy mci», attracted by fishing or shooting, have opened up big industries, plants", etc., there. At present we have no recognised organi-ation where general and specific I information relating to Auckland can be promptly supplied. Such a bureau with a stair of one or t\Vo (man and typiste), in a prominent site at the lower end of Queen street, near the whan". Post Office, and Railway Station would be a boon to visitors. Some of the information that would be I supplied might be charged for and thus lessen the expense. WHO SHOULD START IT. One question is whether it should be organised by a Progress League alone, or in conjunct ion with the city, or even - partly supported by the Government. . [ Failing the adoption of any of these . poasiblv/ private enterprise might take. i up the project. The bureau would require to keep copies of all year books, Government statistical publications. directories, guides, maps, etc. Files might be compiled so that all matter would be up to date. It is admitted that much of the information proposed to be supplied Is already on record in some guides and . official publications. But visitors and . even many residents do not know where to look for if. The different particulars could be set I out on printed or typed sheets and dis- ; tributed as required. The existence of . the bureau should be advertised in Southern and Australian papers in order that prospective visitors might get their inquiries answered in advance. This need , not be regarded as superceding but sttp- ; ' plementing the work of the Tourist DeI partment and other organisations. j In Xapicr the 30.000 Club offered to i open an inquiry bureau if the Govern- | nient would supply a representative of • the Tourist Department. j The facilities thus provided should I mean a good return to the city, and be well worth the few hundreds a year it would cost. To hotel proprietors and business people the increased number of visitors should make it worthy of their financial support. INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED. List of hotels, addresses, and tariff. List of private 'boardingliouses and tariff. List of apartments. List iind situation of Government Departments. 1-ist and situation of municipal departments. Full and up-to-date statistical figures of the trade aud general progress of Auckland. List of social, sporting, literary, and general clubs. * " List of charitable organisations. List of seaside resorts, names of hotel proprietors, tariff, etc. Particulars of beaches, picnic places, and means of access. Maps of province and city. and city guides. Conditions of roads per automobile club. l-ist of city parks, historical buildings local sights, <•',-. List of local garages, taxi stands, etc. Kail, bo.it and ferry time-tables on view anil sale. Leaflets nnd descriptive maps in biiudv sizes to be compiled. .List of colleges theatres, etc.