TWENTY THOUSAND CLUB

Northern Advocate, 10 November 1934, Page 3

TWENTY THOUSAND CLUB

5 THE CONVERSATION. The conversation is as follows, (V) ■ being the visitor and (T.T.C.) Mr . |Munns. V: I hear you have formed a Twenty Thousand Club. What is the member- • ship fee? i T.T.C.: One shilling. V.: That is cheap enough. T.T.C.: Yes, and what a fine body of workers we have. We believe they will bring into the club far more than the membership fee they will pay. We believe that all sections of the community will get in behind this movement, because they will recognise its immense value to the town. V: What is the idea of it all? T.T.C.; To bring more people to Whangarei. We have the assets and facilities for a much larger population, and we want it. V.; How does the Twenty Thousand Club propose to attract that population? T.T 4 C.; By beautifying and popularising our town, and by advertising its attractions. V.: Where do you propose to start your beautifying scheme? T.T.C.: There are so many things to do that I hardly know where to suggest that we should make a start. I also realise that my committee may have ideas quite different from mine. V.: What are your own ideas? Plenty of Schemes. T.T.C.: I would place them in the following order: (1) To try to get the’ railway authorities to repaint the station and buildings, and to arrange to plant trees and flowers from the station to the town, for the station is our front door, and it is there that visitors receive their first impression; (2) we should try to induce the Borough Council to put coloured lights in Central Park, and to carry out a comprehensive scheme of improvement there. We should secure designs for either gates or an archway at the Water Street entrance to replace the present small gate. Whatever we erect must be imposing and worthy of such a magnificent park. The present unsightly fence should be replaced by a low stone wall. Here again I would point out that motorists coming into Whangarei get their impressions from things as they first see them. A worthwhile entrance would be a splendid advertisement for us; (3) I would beautify that lovely piece of river frontage just over the bridge, where the pleasure boats lie; (4) I would try to get the track up the slope to Parahaki made by relief labour. In a fetv years, as the track was planted with trees and seats placed wherever necessary, this walk would be appreciated at its true worth. Later, we should arrange to get a motor road there; (5) make preliminary inquiries as to the cost of the piece of land in Bank Street immediately opposite to the A.M.P. This would make a magnificent botanical garden, and should be secured for this purpose; (6) make plans for the construction of a waterfront road to Mair Park. Possibly the other side of the river will be the most suitable for this work, as it would not disturb the privacy of so many residents as if carried out on this side. Meeting of Business Men. V.: What about holding a meeting of business men in Cameron and Bank streets? T.T.C.: What for? V.: To see in what way they can support the scheme. T.T.C.: Have you anything to suggest? V.: I would suggest that every business man go out into the middle of the street and have a good look at his premises to see how he can improve them, so as to create a good impression when visitors come here, T.T.C.: Tell me more of what is in your mind. V.: I don’t want to be personal, and I sincerely trust that my remarks will not be taken up in the wrong way, but quite a large number of your business premises will stand improvement. Torn blinds, rusting roofs and dingy paint don’t look well. Of course, I am only speaking in general terms. Quite a number of our shops would be a credit to any town, but again quite a number would not. T.T.C.: Have you any further suggestions? V.: Yes, as soon as you get the shopkeepers clearing up, I would suggest you try to secure the co-operation of all residents. They could improve the appearance of our streets by clipping hedges, mowing lawns, improving their gardens, and so on. T.T.C.: Evidently you think that we are going to have an influx of visitors. V.: Make no mistake, you will have plenty of visitors. Your club should get busy, and even if you are unable to undertake any major work, you can at least attempt to get our people to clean up their own premises. T.T.C.: I am quite satisfied that there is an awakening of the civic spirit and as soon as we are able to get our preliminary work done our movement will go with a swing.