OUR TURN NEXT

Opunake Times, 8 January 1935, Page 2

OUR TURN NEXT

VALUE OF PUBLICITY urUXAKE NEGLECTED It is very evident tliat visitors from towns far afield are putting in a good word for Opunake as an ideal place for a seaside holiday, for several visitors from Wellington, Ealmerstou North and Cambridge who are at present enjoying a vacation here are loud in their praises of the facilities offered. The fact that each" of Uie above were told about the place by previous visitors to Opunake proves conclusively that with the help of Government publicity, such as has been accorded Tauranga during the past lew years, we may yet see our beacn crowded with campers throughout the summer holidays. There is no reason at all why this should not come to pa'ss when it is realised that only seven or eight years ago, one could travel across to The Mount at Tauranga and find the beach almost deserted. Along came the railway and with it, oceans jof bright posters and interesting literature which could be picked ap at hotels, libraries and in railway stations and trains in almost any part of the North Island.

The result of this publicity is plainly seen ami its value appreciated, for visitors this year found accommodation at a premium and almost every available site within a mile of the surf beach occupied by campers. Certainly the Government ’ railways have benefited considerably, but not to the extent that the retailers have, the influx of cash customers for a period of about diree months resulting in a harvest to them which has placed them ;n a very happy position. Many visitors from Opunake who have made the trip to L'he Mount and speaking" without bias will agree that the conditions on that surf beach are not equal to our own. The clean white sand is certainly better than our iron variety but the breakers are far below the “quality’’ surf on oar side of the island. JNow that we have the beach in such good order, a combined effort snouid he made by the retailers of the town to the .Publicity or Tourist Department who can get tilings done as" in the above case. There are plenty of towns close handy that would surely send their quota to “see out the land” should excursions be run at more frequent intervals. Surety it is not necessary to" wait for a favourable Sunday late in .February or March, when the weather is becoming unsettled, as is usually the ease. A Thursday afternoon excursion from Stratford and Eltham would pei’haps be a good preliminary, followed by a Wednesday excursion train from- Ha we r a and Normanby. Wanganui could follow on a Saturday or Sunday and with tbe help of the Government gaily coloured posters could be printed a f ntnight ahead, the cost beingmade up from the fares collect id from those attracted.

This is not a gamble," but a good business proposition on the pail of the .Railways Department which, we feel sure, could show a substantial profit from this branch line if some live individual would give the idea a push along. We are. writing to the District Traffic Manager of the New Zealand llailways, offering the free use of the blocks printed in our Christmas Supplement and should they decide to give us a boost along a very attractive poster should be the result.

Campers and holiday makers are assets that should not be lost and a big effort lo attract and retain them should'be uppermost in the mind of every business man in Opunahe. We have proved that co-operation with stx-eet •lighting and free buses has brought a good reward—a united from in this bigger issue will in all piobability bring prosperity fo this town in no small degree.