PUBLICITY FOR TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 20 November 1924, Page 5

PUBLICITY FOR TIMARU.

A DEFINITE MOVEMENT AT LAST

Last night a number of leading bush ness men in lunaru assembled to initiate an active campaign for the improvement of the facilities afforded the numerous visitors who annually visit “Sunny Timaru’’ in search of health find pleasure. It is well recognised that this town, more especially when its position as a leading seaside resort is considered, is very deficient in tho usual organised facilities, for affording visitors full particulars of what is offering in the way of pleasure tours, recreations, amusements and accommodation. During the holiday season, accommodation is usually at a premium, The establishment of an office in a central position with the person in charge in daily touch with all hotels and accommodation places, would prove a big.boon to the travelling public, and be of invaluable assistance to hotels, etc., and during holiday times would probably bring to light a lot of acconi modation tli,at under present conditions is not visible.

Timaru is fortunate in being blessed with many charming motor runs to points of interest. We have also unique fishing resources, recreative and amusement centres. A day’s motor run would take one to Mt. Cook, but to the casual visitor these excursions may not be ap parent, and unless ho is apprised of these features, he may possmly u.ly discover them after he has left. An efficient Information Bureau established in the town would not only bo able to afford at first hand. information with regard to these matters, but •could also to the prospective investor furnish facts and hgures dealing with our primary and secondary industries, our rail and harbour facilities, and property values in town and district. Timaru is every year becomingly increasingly popular with the travelling public on holiday bent, particularly where organised excursions are coneefned. In this respect the Railway Department is now rising to the occasion by initiating ,a series of cheap • xcursions to this Scarborough of New Zeal and. Hearty co-operation with the Railway Department in this matter would ensure success, and help to lay the foundations for a practically permanent traffic and a gratified visitor is always a prospective resident. In publicity matter, Timaru is notoriously deficient, and has been for many years. With the exception of one or , two : efforts made by private enterprise for sale, no modern illustrated literature dealing with our own town is available at present, for free distribution.. In this respect we are woefully behind other “places, possessing not a third of the natural advantages which obtain here. . Next yegr will see the opening of,a large Industrial Exhibition at Dunedin, which will be visited by people from all over the South Seas and probably Europe. Under present conditions Timaru will not be represented by word or picture, as w© have no booklet dealing with our attractions available for free distribution at that exhibition. These matters were discussed at the meeting, and to remedy the position a strong united effort is now being made in the formation of the'Timaru Publicity Association. The subscription has been fixed at the low figure of 5s pei annum.

■ A public meeting will be Hold very shortly, for the purpose of placing everything on a business basis-, and an active canvass for membership will bo made during the next few days.