TOURIST LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1924, Page 10

TOURIST LEAGUE.

VALUABLE PUBLICITY. INFORMATION FOR VISITORS. A BUSY YEAR RBOORDSD. The good work done during the past year by the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League is illustrated by the fact that the league’s bureau has been besieged by visitors, and that over 500 enquiries are received annually at the bureau. These and several other interesting facts are disclosed in the annual report of the league, which is to be •presented at the annual meeting -on Monday night.

The report states:— £ Tn presenting the twelfth annual report and balance-sheet of the New Plymouth Tourist an d Expansion League, the committee has to report a very satisfactory year’s working. Although the league was not able to publish a booklet (luring the past year, yet a considerable amount of other valuable work has been done. The bureau of the league, has been besieged by visitors, and it is estimated that from 500 to 600 inquiries are received annually by the l/ureau. ATTRACTING SETTLERS. “During the year, visits were received from prominent officers of the Tourist Department, and each and every one® were loud in their praise of the attractions to the tourists which were provided by New Plymouth. The work of the Tourist League is really a means to an end. The tourist who visits this town is usually a man of some means. He i may be engaged in the public service of the country, and be on the look-out for a congenial spot in which to spend his days of retirement. Again, potential resources of New Plymouth would (appeal to a visiting manufacturer. Thus ■it would seem that while we carry out jour publicity work in the hope that I we may induce tourists to visit the town, yet those tourists themselves, after bciing impressed with the possibilities of : the -district, may themselves become settlers and bring capital into the town.

“Our finances have been well maintain - ed, and although much further and useful work could be done if finances were available, yet the thanks of th? league are due to those who so generously contributed to its funds. That the work of the league is appreciated by outside people io evidenced by the voluntary donations received from this source. We regret to state that during the year the amount received from the Government ■towards our funds was considerably cut down, while our usual strbsidy from the mountain house committee was not forth- , coining. It is gratifying, however, to .note that in spite of these taetors, our revenue has been maintained. PUBLICITY BY FILMS. “During the year we arranged for ■films to be taken in and about the town, for the purpose of illustrating lectures, ; which are now being given in the United States of America. The claims of the district as a scenic resort have been •Liought before the Minister for Publicly, and lie has definitely promised that a kinematograph operator will be sent to the district in -January next for the purpose of filming its wonders. Arrangements have recently been made whereby an illustrated -page in a Wellington paper's Christmas issue will appear. setting forth illustrations i, of the beauties of the district. The incoming committee will be required to take up the question of printing further booklets or pamphlets. , “During the year Mr. Gordon Fraser was reluctantly compelled to resign the office of chairman. The committee would like to take this opportunity of placing oi: record its appreciation of the excellent and able work which Mr. Fraser performed during Lis term of office as chairman.’’ Th? ba la nee-sheet shows that the receipts during the past year amounted to £2Ol 7s 6:1. £32 18s of this amount being balance in hand from the previous year, and £l7l 9s («1 donations and jeubscriptions received.’ Expenditure incurred amounted to £lO9 4s. the items <if expenditure being rent and secretary « salary, £B2 12s; advertising, printing and stationery, U 3 Ils ?.<l •. general expenses. £23 0s Ikl. This leaves a credit balance of £95 3s 6d in the bank.