THE PROPOSED NEW YEARS PICNIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 304, 20 December 1900, Page 2

THE PROPOSED NEW YEARS PICNIC

A public mbhtok} wag convened at the Council Chambers on Wednesday even, ing, to further the proposed New Year's Pionic, the initiation of which is due to the foresight of Mr. C. E. Bellringer (Town Clerk). The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E. Dookrill), and there were also present: Messrs. J. Paul, W. L. Newman, R. Cock, Esse, C. 0, Ward, J. Hookor, J. Bellringer, F. Bsllringer, C. Bellringer, J, Butterworth, and W. Skinner,

The Mayor briefly outlined tho object sought to be achieved, pointing out that as New Plymouth aspired to be a seaside town, thoy ought to exert themselves to make it as attractive as possible. A picnic was undoubtedly tho best means that could be offered to country people, bringing thorn into the town, and thus promoting its prosperity, as well as establishing great harmony and good feeling between country and , town residents.

Mr. Cock questioned whether such a small meeting was justified in proceeding with the undertaking. He doubted if it was wanted, judging by the paucity arid''wftht of interest shown by the pujjliq,,, have,to put their hands in thojr'''pockets' l to' find the .money if it nojt a success. j '"The Mayor spoke more hopefully, and failed to seo that tho attendance was any indication of the feeling of the town, As evidence of this, he pointed to the suocess of the Patriotic Fund, tho Indian Famine Fund, and the proposed museum. There was nothing to be disheartened about if only a beginning was made. Mr. J. Bellringer thought it was their business to advertise the town as much as possible. By helping others they wore helping themselves. He referred to the efforts mado by fishing villages in the Old Country, which from small townships of a few hundred inhabitants had grown into thousands by suoh excursions as was proposed for tho New Year. They must first initiate the sohemo, and good results would follow. The Railway Company and the Union Steamship Company had been approaohed, and the latter had promised to place the Mapourika at the disposal of the Committee to make sea trips, weather permitting. The Railway Company had not yet responded to the overtures made to them, but a reply would be received in a day or two, He contended that if the Borough had funds enough they should lay it out in improving the promenades and beaoh. Mr. Paul said the picnic would be a great boon,. as he knew there were grownup people and children who had never seen the tea or the breakwater, in which they had an interest. After referring to the train arrangements, the speaker said hedidnotthinkitneoessary to provide sport?, but a selection of masio would be rendered by a band. Marquees would be erected, hot water, etc. provided, and country people would seo exactly what arrangements had been made for their convenience. The Town Clerk said he had been twitted by residents in other districts that Now Plymouth was a sloepy place and not alive enough to its own interests.

Upon the motion of Mr. J. Bellringer, seoonded by Mr. Skinner, it was unanimously roßolvtid that a picnic on the beach be held on Now Year's Day. Those present were elected on the committee, with power to add to their number. The Mayor was elected chairman, and Mr. Newman, hen. secret*ry. After the appointmout of sub-commit-tees and other formal business, the proceedings closod with a vote of thanks to the Mayor.