“BACK TO DUNEDIN WEEK”

Otago Witness, Issue 4074, 12 April 1932, Page 45

“BACK TO DUNEDIN WEEK”

MEETING IN TOWN HALL The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) presided over a meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon in connection with the proposal to bald a “ Buck to Dunedin Week,” and from those present an executive representing the Expansion League, the Manufacturers’ Association, the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Retailers’ Association, the Otago Motor Club, the Otago Rugby Union, the Scottish societies of Dunedin, and the St. Kilda Borough was set up to further the project.

The chairman said that it had originally been intended to hold a carnival in connection with the centenary celebrations at the Otago Heads some time ago. but that proposal had been allowed to fall through. There could be no doubt that something in the nature of a carnival was required to counteract the dolor of the present time. A ‘‘Back to Dunedin Week” should serve to show that Dunedin was going ahead and that its people still had confidence and faith in its future. It should also have the effect of stimulating trade and creating a spirit of optimism that was sorely needed. The meeting that afternoon was called to ascertain what degree of support would be forthcoming for the proposal and if possible to make preliminary arrangements for the carrying out of the work of organisation which the project would entail. It was hoped that sporting, musical, and business organisations would do all in their power to assist. There was no reason why. since Dunedin had raised £25,000 for cancer research, the city should not be able to raise £5OOO by this means. After some discussion it was agreed that the style of the project should be “ Back to Dunedin Week.” and that it should be held at Winter Show time, extending, if possible, over about eight days, commencing with the week-end before the opening of the show. A number of special committees were tentatively formed to undertake special work such as that of arranging entertainments, decorations, sports, finance, and publicity, and arrangements were made for the co-operating of the services of prominent people in these respective connections.