“PAINT WEEK”

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1923, Page 2

“PAINT WEEK”

A VISITOR’S SUGGESTION. While watching the preparations lor the departure of the Christchurch express this morning, a reporter made the acquaintance of a visitor to _ the ICoast whose opinions about Greymouth almost coincide with those of ?,Ir. Julian Grande, although lit? does not share his taste for spats. I’he gentleman was Mr. Thomas Brodie, sports master of the Wellington College and a well known Rugby ex-re-presentative player. “I am charmed and delighted with the natural beauty of the West Coast,” he declared when asked his impressions. “I have been in many parts of New Zealand, but never have I seen anything to equal the beauty of this province. Its hosts of scenic attractions should be the envy of every other district. 1 cannot speak too highly of what I have seen —particularly the bush, with its uncommonly rich green verdure.” The reporter imagined he was about to listen to an academic panegyric on the scenic potentialities of the Golden West. However, he was disappointed, as —whether it was the near approach of the time Tor departure of the train or a change in his informant’s train of thought, Mr. Brodie suddenly «>ok up a critical attitude. “Yes,” ho said, “the scenery is glorious. But the town ! If you were to ask my impressions of the town, I could sum them up in one wordpaint ! Greymouth is set in beautiful natural surroundings, and could be made a pretty town. It is anything but attractive at present with its numerous neglected looking buildings, which do not appear to have received a coat of paint for years. I don’t think the town is neglected, but it could be vastly improved if there •were a better community spirit. A little paint works wonders on a shabby building. Another direction in which an improvement could be effected is in repairing the shop verandahs in the front street. Yesterday I •walked along Mawhera Quay find quite a number of the verandahs had holes which allowed the rain to trickle through in many places. In Wellington we had a ‘health, week, and it was badly needed,” Mr. Brodie concluded, as he boarded the train. “What about Greymouth having a ‘paint’ week?” “You think another bit of paint ■wouldn’t do us any harm?” asked the reporter. “Certainly not,” said Mr. Brodie, as the train drew out. “I am coming back in two years, and I hope that I will then be able to see Gieymouth as it should be—a clean, neatly laidout town—planned and progressive city.”