PROTEST AGAINST NEW PLYMOUTH ACTION

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 28, 30 January 1929, Page 5

PROTEST AGAINST NEW PLYMOUTH ACTION

SEQUEL TO LATE MOUNTAIN EXCURSION

TENUE OF SCHOOL PICNIC

CHANGED.

OPUNAKE CHOSEN INSTEAD,

The action taken by certain organisations in New Plymouth in connection with the recent (Mountain excursion to Stratford, when inducements were allegedly held! out ;to encourage visitors! to go to New Plymouth Imstcfeull of Stratford was the subject of adverse comment at a sij'jWal meeting of tlie School Committee held last night. It had been intended originally to hold the animal school picnic at New Plymouth, but tlijd Committee decided that under the circumstances Opunake should be selected instead.

Those present at title meeting were: Messrs A. Ferguson (chairman), Messrs A. E. Moss, H. F. Fleming, J. Morrison, H. S, Vosseler, G. A. Carter and Mesdames Thomson and Robinson.

Mr Fleming considered that! as a protest the annual picnic should not be held at Ngamotu, hut at Opunake, and moved accordingly. , Mr Moss said that mlost of the children were taken to the New Plymouth beach for their holidays and consequently the picnic would not be such a treat for them. Few had been to Opunake, and it was a very nice (trip through the Waimate

Plains. The distances were atyout the same, but the Opunake trip was not such a dusty one and therefore was more pleasant.

Mr Ferguson Avas in favour of the Ngamotu Beach, and moved an amendment that 1 the picnic be held there on February 28 instead of February 14, when a warship would be visiting the port.

Mr Moss further said that the Opunake Beach was much cleaner than the Ngamotu one, there being plenty of grass and shade quite nean Those were not the only attractions, however, for there was a lake on which boating and trout-fishing could be enjoyed, a t'ennis court and a bowling green, which would be at the disposal of picnickers, while there was also good sea-fishing from the wharf.

The motion to hold the picnic at Opunake was carried by five to two, and it was resolved that Mr G. A. Carter write to the Opunake Seaside Society to arrange for supplies of milk and hot water, etc, and get in touch with the Railway as to the alterations decided upon. Mr Moss and Mr Fleming were tlhen chosen as an advertising committee to boost the picnic and make

it a success. The function will be held on February 14.