GISBORNE TO AUCKLAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15221, 20 May 1920, Page 3

GISBORNE TO AUCKLAND.

THE OVERLAND HOUTE. The Vigilance Committee of the Gis borne Chamber of Commerce is to submit to the chamber at its meeting next week the following report on the overland route from Gisborne to Auckland via Opotiki, Whakatane and Tauranga':— In view of the increasing popularity of this route, this committee would suggest to the Chamber of Commerce of Gisborne that they use effort to make more widely known this outlet from the district. The overland trip to Auckland via the above named route can be accomplished in 2<i hours, and this fact is little known to the general public A traveller leaving Gisborne by the morning train can connect at Motuhora with the through motor car service" to Tauranga— a distance of 188 miles— there connecting by boat for Auckland— and arriving at his destination in the time stated. The cost of this trip one way under prevailing conditions is about £4. The difficulties of this trip can be overcome, and the route generally improved, and no doubt should the local bodies and Chambers of Commerce along the route take the matter up and put the position before the proper authorities, a vast improvement/ could be effected. We would suggest that a conference be held to further this very important matter, representative of the East Coast Development League, Bay of Plenty Progressive League, Chambers of Commerce — including Auckland— local bodies and members of Parliament— representing the districts concerned. We would suggest that the following be "submitted to the conference to discuss:— * To ascertain the amount of road to be permanently improved to enable the service to be carried out in all weathers. To approach the Tourist Department for assistance, and giving the route all publicity; and that the department give full particulars of route in its official guide book to bring It under the notice of the touring and travelling public. To petition the Government, if necessary, to subsidise the service, to enable the trip to be accomplished at such -a rate as will be within the reach of all. To advise as to the possibility of a daily 1 mail service lo he carried over the route and to arrange a suitable timetable. In view of the early visit, of the Hon. . J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, it would be advisable for this Chamber , to bring these matters under his ,notice. "■* There is also the alternative trip via Rotorua and from ''there by train to Auckland— which takes a few nours longer and is more costly. The advertising of the overland route i to Auckland will need to be worketj on ' a comprehensive scheme-— in conjunction . with the local bodies concerned, Tourist ! Department, Railway. Department, Shipping Company, hotelkeepers, ami those ' people who are catering for the motor services en route. The scope for advertis- « ing is unlimited, and a suggestion has already been made that a moving picture be taken of the route, showing the scenic beauty of the Opotiki-Motu Gorge, and other places which are spoken of as being equal to the best of their kind in the Dominion. This could be done Avith the assistance of the Tourist Department, and the local Aard, Fairlie Motor Service Co., have offered to place their services at the disposal of the Chamber of Commerce should the necessary arrangements be made to carry out this suggestion. The ■ advertising of the district is also a matter for the Chamber of Commerce to con- . sider. Unfortunately, Poverty. Bay is adversely spoken of in other parts not only by outsiders but also by some of our , own people— who have that weakness or forgetting to boost their own— and in some cases take up just the other attitude of crying H.down. We have Tor perusal by the members of ..this Chamber advertis--1 ing booklets, . issued by other . districts, for the special purpose of giving publicity to such districts, and to attract new settlers, and showing opportunities for new business ventures, and to attract the touring public. We have received copies of the "Wonderful West Coast" from Picton Sound to Christchurch. Mount Egmont and the Gardens of Taranaki, across Marlborough Mountains, including Nelson to Collingwood. These editions have been arranged and published by Will Lawson, and at. present a book on Ihe Bay of Plenty is now in print. This gentleman has written to the Chamber giving particulars of his publications, and states that some of the districts have been assisted by the Tourist Department in the way of subsidy. He further states the cost qf similar book-lets-is on the average about £300 for 10,000 copies. Mr. Lawson suggests for our consideration a booklet similar, to "Foodships for Britain" which is a larger and better booklet than the others just mentioned. He is prepared to give the Chamher advice in respect to these publications, and quotes for a booklet similar to above £600 for 100,000 and if advertising is included it would mean a saving of about £150. We would suggest to the Chamber that should such a similar scheme be gone on with, that the cost be borne by all local bodies in the district. A' further suggestion is that the Chamber arrange with the publishers of Auckland Weekly News and Christchurch Weekly Press, to have a 4 to o page supplement Issued with the edition of each paper— the approximate cost would, be £400. In reference to both these suggestions you will note from the correspondence that the arranging of the material for the publication can be done by the contracting parties or in any way tho Chamber decides.