ATTRACTING TOURISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 February 1927, Page 11

ATTRACTING TOURISTS

NEW PLYMOUTH LEAGUE HUATOKI DOMAIN IMPROVEMENTS. ENCOURAGING AMERICAN VISITS A meeting of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League was held last night, Mr. G. M. Spence presiding. Others present were: Messrs. F. Amoore, T. G. Hirst, G. W. Browne, R. Day, P. J. Pentecost, F. E. Wilson, L. T. Aylward and F. S. Hodson. The secretary reported that he had seen Mr. C. E. Bellringer, M.P., with reference to the visit of Patea people to New Plymouth on February 8 Mr. Bellringer consented to meet the visitors at the port and take them round the wharves and the harbour in the Harbour Board launch. The chairman said that several cars would be lent for the occasion, and facilities would be provided by the Kawaroa Park Society free of charge. The Mayor, Mr. F. E. Wilson, Messrs. Teed and Spence were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangements. z The chairman reported that the wireless postcards to be printed for circulation between wireless enthusiasts would have on them a photo of Mount Egmont. As a result of inquiries as to whether the Duke and Duchess of York would be coming to New Plymouth by car or train, a letter was received from the Minister for Internal Affairs that after a couple of days’ fishing at Tokaanu their Royal Highnesses would join the train at Waimarino on the evening of Wednesday, March 2, spend the night on the train, and arrive at New Plymouth the following morning. Some doubt was expressed as to the value of the visit owing to its shortness. Mr. Wilson pointed out that there would be a terrible outcry if they did not come at all. The chairman put forward a proposal for a booklet as supplementary to the present folder, giving a little more detail of the attractions of the district. An article on the fishing attractions of North Taranaki, submitted by Mr. G. Grover as being suitable for inclusion in the next booklet, was read and accepted with thanks. The visits of contingents of peopleto the town without the knowledge of The league was broached by the chairman, who pointed out the advantage it would be to the visitors if they were notified. It was decided to ask the secretaries of the various associations in the town to inform the league of any people coming for conferences, etc., so that they could be supplied with copies of folders. On the motion of Mr. Wilson, it was decided to attempt to meet the tourist agent visiting Taranaki with a party of American tourists shortly with a view to giving him information likely to be the means of bringing more American tourists to the town. Reference was made by the chairman to the laxity of the Government Tourist Department in giving information regarding Taranaki. Mr. Amoore reported that the folders at the Waitomo hostel were very much in evidence. , An estimate of the cost of framed pictures suitable for the social halls of trans-Pacific steamers was obtained by Mr. Hodson. The matter was held over until more funds were available. It was left to the chairman and Mr. Hodson to obtain a large framed photo of Mount Egmont for the league office. Mr. Browne reported that the Bendall memorial track at the Huatoki Domain was now in good order. They would eventually have a circuitous track about 1J miles in length through the bush. Guides would be appointed to show visitors, of whom there had been large numbers at Christmas, through the bush. There was a space of about one acre suitable for eamping sites in the future. The matter of obtaining notices directing visitors to the domain w-as left to Mr. Day with power to act. It was reported by Mr. Day that good progress was being made with the bringing out of an up-to-date map of the borough of New Plymouth. The resignation of Mr. G. Fraser from the executive was accepted with regret.