CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1931, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE

NGAMOTU BEACH AND WHARVES.

(To the Editor.)

Si r —As one of the first settlers at the Ngamotu Beach, and still very much in terpsted in its welfare, I am alarmed at the harm which may result from such an ignorant article as written by your evidently misinformed correspondent Resident/’ It niight interest “Resident to know that, apart from the Maori Reserve, the first cottage in evidence a(i Ngamotu Beach was No. 8 and was built by a Strafford resident just 18 years ago, which is quite a few years short' of the 40 years he mentions in his letter. As for admission charges on New Year’s Day, no sensible Iminded person would pay more than tfie price advertised and asked for, namely, Is for each adult, which gave admission to both the beaches and ijie wharves. Children were admitted free. The only other charge apart from the parking, of vehicles was a levy of 6d for admission to a sniall enclosure around the flagship, which, from previous experience, was found necessary to regulate the crowd and minimise any likelihood of accident, for which the committee was held responsible. This barrier was lifted as soon as there was no evidence of congestion. . Although it is questionable whether the Ngamotu Society is the correct body to make application to charge for such, a function as a rowing regatta, no iairminded person will begrudge any efforts at revenue producing if the proceeds, as ot late has been apparent, are being spent on the beach. All unemployed work has to be subsidised, and the beach committee is fortunate in obtaining such help to support its small capital. A glance at tfie balance-sheet would show that the regatta and gala day is an expensive proposition, and it is commendable that we have men in this town who will tackle such an undertaking in an effort to popularise one of the many resorts with which New. Plymouth is gifted. New Year’s. Day is the only day on which a charge is made, and it is ridiculous to think that such a, regatta and gala could be held without charging admission. If instead of writing the biased letter of an evident malcontent vour correspondent had the heart to his opinion at the annual meeting of the controlling society he might be enlightened somewhat, but he prefers to write letters of criticism, which are detrimental to the beach of which he has the audacity to profess to be a resident. —I am, etc.,

“SETTLER.”