Publicity for West Coast

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32613, 22 May 1971, Page 3

Publicity for West Coast

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 21. An increase of nearly 30 per cent in tourism to the West Coast and in the South Island generally is expected as a result of Westland’s “do-it-yourself” publicity drive in Wellington.

A “West Coast Week,” which brought the colourful Coast, its exciting golden past and its hopeful future to the capital, ended tonight at the Town Hall with a ball, complete with cancan girls and the Kokatahi Band. “It has been a most successful week,” said Mr M. F. Foate, of the South Island Publicity Association today. “During the school holidays the normal number of visitors to the Cuba Street mall has been increased by onethird—all,of them interested in seeing the West Coast exhibits, displays and contests. “The reaction in Wellington has been even greater than in our Auckland promotion, possibly because of the timing. We are particularly proud of the ' West Coasters who put their time into the promotion, and of those other expatriate West Coasters who rallied around.”

STRONG SUPPORT The basic show has been built around 20 people, and closely supported by a similar number of West Coasters now living in Wellington. Working together, the West Coast Committee, the South Island Publicity Association and National Airways Corporation brought the essence of the Coast to the capital. All this week, West Coast subjects have held the stage in Cuba Street—enclosed between shopping crowds the features have included wood chopping contests, demonstration of gold panning, and performances by the Kokatahi Band. In the display centre there has been a constant stream of visitors to the static and other exhibits. The promotion went further afield. It included visits to distant suburbs and areas 40 miles north of Wellington, the holding of a highly successful West Coast break-

fast to brief tourist executives, and a supper on Wednesday night attended by Ministers and members of Parliament. Tonight’s West Coast ball drew nearly 1000 guests to the Town Hall. The traditional grand march was led by the Mayor of Wellington (Sir Francis Kitts) and the Railways Department provided backdrops of the Otira Tunnel and murals of famous Westland hostelries. Among tho«e entering into the spirit of f the promotion were the Minister of Tourism (Mr Walker), the members of Parliament for Buller and Westland (Messrs W. E. Rowling and P. Blanchfield), the Minister of Mines (Mr Shelton) and the Acting Commissioner for. the West Coast (Mr J. Fitzharris). Tonight’s ball was attended by the Mayors of Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport (Messrs J. Richards, O. Jackson and W. Craddock).