Tauranga’s Attractions as a Holiday Resort

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11930, 23 January 1936, Page 4

Tauranga’s Attractions as a Holiday Resort

GKOAVING POPULARITY' ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATED. A T'AVX WITH AX HISTORICAL PAST AND BRIGHT PROSPECTS

It, ij probably correct to say that during (bo last decade or two no lown in the Dominion has attracted miO, favourable a Mention as Taurungu. tVhat may bo deemed the first de(rrmitrjd attempt to advertise the town and district more extensively than had been done tip to that date was by the Special Peace Issue of the Day of Plenty Times on Bth August, 3 019. Copies Of this issue were distributed to local bodies, Chambers of Commerce and prominent citizens throughout the Dominion, and by this means much publicity was gained. The Issue was genereousiy supported by local bodies and business people and it was a prior condition that any profit arising from it would he handed over to the Chamber of Commerce to form the nucleus of tin advertising fund. As a result £IOO was handed over and this sum was subsequently judiciously spent by the Chamber in further useful advertising. In 19ti4 a more ambitious attempt was made by means of a special issue of the Bay of Plenty Times, coincident with the opening of the railway, to make known the attractions of the district. This issue contained the "Story of Gate Pa," written specially for the occasion by Captain Mair, the story being subsequently published in booklet form, copies of which are still available from the Times Office and local stationers. The “Times” has thus taken a prominent part in initiating successive advertising campaigns, and with the co-operation of local bodies and business people very useful publicity work has been done, the result of which hits certainly made itself evident during the past few years. When the first effort was made in 1919 the population of the town was estimated at about ISOO, and of the whole county including all Interior townships and boroughs, at only 5 832. The figures then quoted were as follows:

population of a comparatively small borough, and at that time, taking the total area of those counties there was only about three souls to the square mile. Even to-day, with the great growth that has taken place, there is ample room for many more settlers. To-day, from the 1936 Year Book just to hand, we find the position to be as under: Estimated at Ist April, 1935 Counties (including interior Townships and Boroughs) Tauranga 13,770 Whakatane ! 8,130 Opoliki 5,810 27,710 (The same Boroughs as in the previous comparison) Napier 16,5 50 Palmerston North .. 22,250 Timaru 17,750 Wanganui 24,850 Invercargill 22,5 70 This shows forcibly the substantial advance that has been made, and one cannot escape the feeling that the development of the town and district has but commenced. One might write lor hours of the attractions and advantages that Tauranga offers not only to the casual visitors, hut also to those in search of a permanent home, but no word picture can accurately convey the undoubted charm the town possesses. Naturally -it has Us rainy days—all too evident lately when least wanted or expected—and Us cold days; ts Irosty days and windy days, but lesplte those natural variations there still remains that genial climate and pleasant surroundings that set Tauranga apart as the Dominion’s most attractive spot. That to some may seem an exaggeration, but to those who know, whether from long or short experience, there is that indefinable charm about the place that is inescapable. To some the bustle and attractions of city life are Irresistible, but to those who prefer less strenuous days and seek to escape the allurements of the larger centres .here Is certainly no more desirable town in which to dwell than Tauranga. It has all the amenities that any self-respecting seaside town should have —salt water baths excepted—and in some respects more than the average. From every point of view Tauranga justifies all the praise its citizens can give it, and in writing to their friends they can with confidence invite them to come and satisfy themselves that all that has been said and written of it is true.

Counties (Including Interior Townships and Boroughs) Tauranga 5632 Whakataue 3854 Opotiki 2854 12,440 Koroughs Napier 12,701 Palmerston North .. 12,829 Timaru 12,238 AVanganul 14,380 Invercargill 14,154

These figures were given to show Inat tile vast area embraced within the three counties of Tanranga, AVliakatane, and Opotilcf, had only a

This view, taken from near the Taurauga end of the railway bridge, Is typical of the many pretty "peeps” on the waterfront.