TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1927, Page 9

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

NEW PLYMOUTH LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. SOUND POSITION REVEALED. An attendance of twelve was present at the annual meeting of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League at New Plymouth last night. Mr. G. M. Spence presided. Eight apologies for absence were received.

In referring to the annual report, which has already been published in the News, Mr. F. Amoore heartily congratulated the chairman on his very full and illuminating review of the past year’s work. It was but an indication of the immense amount of work the chairman had personally done. This opinion was endorsed by a number of other speakers. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said it was most encouraging last year to find such a courteous reception given to the canvassere. The work of the league during the year had not perhaps been as onerous as in the previous year, for the reason that it had been to a large extent systemised. The reproduction of the folder had been a comparatively simple matter, and he hoped that the incoming committee would go into the matter of publishing a smaller folder, devoted entirely to New Plymouth, to supplement the larger one. In regard to the mountain house, members of the league would be pleased to know that plans had been prepared lor additions to the hostel, and the work would definitely proceed in the near future. It was quite possible that at least one tennis court would be laid out this season. ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. As regards accommodation, he hoped that much imprqvement would be effected in this respect. He was really afraid that New Plymouth was in danger of getting the name of being a place where it was practically impossible to get accommodation in the summer time. He felt that strenuous efforts should be made to obtain better accommodation. It was the most important tourist problem in few Plymouth at the present time. The opening of the Mokau bridge would no doubt materially increase the tourist traffic from the north.

Mr. G. ML Browne asked what was being done to provide parking areas for the expected increase in tourists.

The chairman said he understood that the borough cottncilu was increasing the parking area at Belt Road, and that there were areas set aside at Huatoki Domain and Fitzroy Park. Messrs. Browne (Huatoki Domain) and J. K. Hawkins (Fitzroy Park) stated that areas were available, but the road to the Huatoki Domain was only a summer road, and that to the Fitzroy Park was not yet properly formed. With reference to the finances of the league, Mr. C. B. W’ebster said the canvass of business people this year had been postponed on account of the fact that the dairy industry had experienced rather an off year, but better times seemed now to have arrived, and it was intended to hold the canvass on Thursday, October 27. He was gratified at the reception accorded the canvassers last year, and felt sure that a similar reception would be accorded this year. The increased prosperity of the country was being reflected in the town business. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. G. M. Spence; vicepresident, Mr. F. Amoore; executive, the president and vice-president ex officio and Messrs. F. E. Wilson, G. Gibson, W, N. Stephenson, R. Day, F. S. Hodson, T. G. Hirst, L. T. Aylward, R. J. Pentecost, S. Teed, D. F. C. Saxton, G. T. Champion and J. K. Hawkins, and representatives of the five bodies in New Plymouth controlling parks; treasurer, Mr. C. B. Webster; auditors, Messrs. Duff and Wynyard.

The matter of a regular motor service to Mt. Egmcnt was held over until the first meeting of the executive. A sub-committee consisting of Mr. L. T. Aylward and the secretary was appointed to go into the matter of obtaining a supply of- radio applause cards, advertising New Plymouth.

Mr. G. T. Champion brought up the matter of the low level road from Te Kuiti to Hangitiki, and the secretary was instructed to make inquiries from the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce as to what progress was being made with the road, and who was responsible for its upkeep, A suggestion that the league should investigate the question of providing music at the most popular tourist resorts during the height of the tourist season was made by Mr. J. K. Hawkins.

The chairman said the suggestion was one that was certainly within the scope of the league’s work, though it was largely, a question of finance, and on his recommendation the matter was referred to the incoming committee. The meeting closed with votes of thanks t-o the chairman and the Press. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. Prior to the annual meeting, a meeting of the retiring executive was held. Present: Messrs. G. M. Spence (chairman), F. Amoore, W. N. Stephenson, G. W. Browne, D. F. C. Saxton, L. T. Aylward, J. Honeyfield and C. B. Webster. In regard to the illumination of the league’s proposed sign, which the borough council stated it would carry out at a cost of £2. per annum it was resolved to write to the council regretting that it adopted the attitude that the league should pay in the manner indicated for activities that were solely concerned with advertising the town. "If the borough councils of the past had adopted a similar policy, we would still have bullock drays in t’ streets,” observed Mr. G. W. Browne, and the chairman agreed that it was a surprising thing that the council should demand payment for such a service. In reply to a request from a private tourist agency for two photographs, one depicting a tourist attraction and the other some sporting attraction, as well as an article on the tourist attractions of the district, it was resolved to obtain a scenic photograph of Mt. Egmont and a sporting photograph of either golf or tennis activities. The chairman stated that he was engaged in writing an article. The photographs and article will be used in a booklet being issued by the agency.