A TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2218, 16 June 1908, Page 1

A TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND.

HOW THE NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY ADVERTISES THE DOMINION. The following is a report upon the fourth series of lectures ontitlod “A Trip to New Zealand,” given under tile direction of the .' New Zealand Shipping Company Dimited during the past year:—ln' February 1904, the New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd. inatigurated a series of popular lantern lectures entitled “A Trip to New Zealand,” •with the object of bringing before the public in a novel and attractive manner the advantages which tho (Dominion offers to the hard-working emigrant. These lectures nro fully illustrated by photographic slides, 'and have mot with considerable success.. One hundred .and thirty-three lectures have -now been given under the direction of the Company at various theatres', public halls, and institutes in London, and. the provincos, ait 'which the total 'attendance inis been £59,780—an average attendance of 449. 1 Between t'lio months of September 1907, and March 1908 thirty-one lectures were' given, the total attendance being 20,750 —an average of OG9 per lecture. Average Number attendance of Aggregate' per Season lectures attendance lecture. 1904- 80 9,960 332 1905- 30 13,320 444

I'JOG-7 30 14.460 481 1907-8 31 20.750 069 [ Of t'lie thirty-one lectures given this season, eleven were given in London and the suburbs ami twenty un the provinces. The provincial lectures were distributed over tilio following thirteen counties: —Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. The largest audiences in London was at tlio Polytechnic, llegent Street, (1,000). The Hon. W P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, took the chair on this occasion. The largest audiences in the provinces were at the Metropole Theatre, Birmingham, (3,000) on 12th January, 1908, and at the Carlton Theatre, Birmingham, (2,600) on lv'tli •November, 1907. The halls hive been crowded on nearly every occasion, in spite of unfavorable weather in November and January. At Birmingham, WoTVorhampton, Hitehin; Worcester, Lyihington. Walthamstow, Liecester, Jlegent St. 'Polytechnic, Prixton, .ami other places, many people were unable to obtain admission. The following are extracts received f rom the secretaries of somo of tho institutes:—

Carlton Theatre, Birmingham: “The building was packed- to its maximum sitting and standing capacity, whilst quite bOO were unable to obtain admission.” thee Library, Wallingford:—“The room was crowded, and many expressed the hope that a return visit would bo -given next year.” Stowmarket institute: —“The lecture was very much appreciated, especially by the number of young men -present.” St. Paul’s Hall, Hornsey:—“Before the lecture began wo had to close the doors, the hall being packed to it s utmost limit with an audience gathered from' near -and far.' The number of mien—-especially younger men—present was a noteworthy feature of the evening.” Old Town Hall, Hitcbin:—“Although the hall .was packed to its extreme limit, we totally failed to accommodate all w-lio -wished to be present.” Greet Western ltailway Institute, Wolverhampton:—“We never remember our Institute being .so well filled.” . .

'Congregational Institute, Grays:— “It was a very representative gathering from the town. We hud a very large proportion of young men.” Working Men’s Institute, Northampton:—“A great deal of interest is being taken in New Zealand, and this was exemplified (by the crowded audience.” Guildhall. Winchester:—“The lecture proved of very great interest to our members, who attended in large numbers, especially the younger men. In spite of a very wet evening, we had a room full of interested listeners.” Literary Institute, Lyiningtou: “The room was .packed, also the platform behind the screen; in addition to which a. very large number had to be refused admittance.” St. George’s 'Hall, Southend : — M We had the best audience that we have had this season,” Mn rkham 'Sq., Lity. Soey., Chelsea:— “The gathering was the largest the Society has had this season.” Advertising:—ln addition to the distribution of about 15,000 illustrated pamphlets issued by the New Zealand Government — 1,847 iPosters, 55,850 'Handbills, and 8,000 Picture Postcards of N.Z. Shipping Co.’s steamers have been used to advertise the lectures during the season. Company’s Agents: —A prominent feature in connection with this season’s lectures has been the hearty cooperation of the Company’s agents in the various towns roihere lectures have been given. <ln all towns where the New Zealand Shipping Coy. lias agents, a representative has attended the lecture at the invitation of the Company. Oil several occasions the Company’s lecturer lias attended at the agents’ offices prior to the lecture, for the purpose of seeing intending emigrants, and giving them any information they may require regarding tho Dominion. The lecturers visit has been advertised in tho local press, and it is hoped that the results will be satisfactory. Press 'Notices: —The lecture has been very favorably reported on in many of the London and provincial papers. Since the Company iiraugur'ated the lectures in 1904. nearly 200 reports of the Entertainment have appeared in the press, and tho reports have been frequently illustrated by views of New Zealand. By this means, the advantages of the Dominion, from the emigrant's point of view, have been brought before many thousands who have not attended the lecture. Lantern Slides on Loan : The Company lias ,a large selection of lantern slides of New Zealand scenery, industries, etc., and these are lent without charge for use at lectures oil the Dominion in suburban and provincial halls. Applications have been received for the use of these slides from all parts of the Kingdom.