GARDENS CORNER

Evening Star, Issue 24296, 10 September 1942, Page 7

GARDENS CORNER

STRIKING PROSPERITY NEWSPAPER CAMPAIGN PAYS That the association had undoubtedly been a great help to the district was stressed by the president, Mr W. Mawhinney, at last night’s annual meeting of the Gardens Business Association. It had attracted trade in increasing volume, and caused improvement in social amenities which, as individuals, would have been impossible for them to attain. “ When 1 look around the large, and representative gathering of local business people here to-night,” he said, “ it is hard to realise that it is but 12 months since our organisation was first formed. It has been a wonderful effort, and the association is very fortunate in having such an enthusiastic and keen executive. ’ He expressed thanks to members also for the splendid support each had given, and said that by holding together, when world affairs returned to normal, they would see in the Gardens Corner another South Dunedin. The general feeling of happy co-operation which existed between them all was a matter for particular comment. Trade had increased, and in the state of business as it now existed it should not be long before the Gardens area would require a full-sized Post Office. The confidence of the committee was expressed in the success of the association. ADVERTISING RESULTS. A striking tribute was paid to the part newspaper advertising had played in assisting the district’s maintenance at prosperity level, and a hearty vote of thanks was moved to the ‘ Star ’ for the manner in which it had conducted all publicity matters left to its care. By means of the ‘ Star ’ the general public had learned of the great variety of goods quite often unobtainable elsewhere that was readily available in the Gardens business area, and the news had quickly spread, so much so, that the slogan, “ Shop at the Gardens,” was ' becoming widely, known in districts further afield. In this particular, it was mentioned by Mr J. Harvey, vice-president of the association, that his personal experience had found that ‘ Star ’ advertising, as conducted by tlie association, bad created business from all over Dunedin, and from as far away as Bavensbourne. At times trade was such that it was difficult to cope with it ail. Larger crowds, too, had been attracted to the Botanic Gardens by the ‘ Star,’ and this had had its effect also on the prosperity of the district The position was summed up by a lady member present, who said that by its newspaper advertising the association had placed the Gardens Corner on the map. PATRIOTIC APPEAL. An item in the annual report under this heading states that under the All-Purposes Appeal (retail section) a sub-committee, consisting of Mrs Petrie and the Misses Meffen and Fogarty, was formed to work in conjunction with the General Committee. The association could be very proud of the results of their effort, which surpassed all expectations. Considering the restricted area which comprised the zone, results compared more than favourably with larger zones. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. During the year various bands for the purpose of entertaining residents of the district were engaged. In spite of inclement weather this innovation proved an outstanding success. The expenditure entailed by this portion of activities was largely met by donations from individual members. One of the highlights of the year’s activities was the social evening held in the Leith Bowling Club’s pavilion, attended by about 80 members and friends. It was hoped that this social would become an annual event. Again the success of the function was due to the spontaneous generosity of members. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr W. Mawhinney; vice-president, Mr J. Harvey; secretary, Mr H. L. Galken; committee—Mrs Petrie, Miss Edmonds, Mr J. Clark, Miss Meffen, Mr J. Gillies.