BACK TO PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4578, 22 June 1923, Page 2

BACK TO PAEROA.

Sir, —I have seen in your paper or. several occasions that the Chamber of Commerce has spoken of the matter of a boost for the town of PaeroaNow, how would a week of reunion, to be styled “Back to Paeroa Week,” do ? This would be a means, I think, of bringing the town and district’s undoubted attractions more prominently under the notice of the residents of other parts of New Zealand. This is a matter our, chamber of commerce and local bodies may well take up with advantage to the town. One stipulation, of course,, would have to be set out right away, and that is, it must be arranged for a summer programme ; otherwise, much of our best would not be seen. The district is undoubtedly striding ahead, and a festival week may do much to throw off the bad impressions gained of Paeroa and district in the earlier days. Energy will have to be put intw the scheme, and this is not likely to be lacking if taken up by some responsible body. It may be mentioned that recently a progressive town in Australia held a very succsesful reunion, while it was announced a week 017 so ago that Tauranga is organising one for a date early in 1924. Some of the Otago goldfields towns of half a cen-tu’-y ago, and now merely villages, have held reunions,, attracting back to the towns for a week many ' of those who were located there several decades ago and are now scattered far and wide. Paeroa has had a long life, and the idea seems to be one that could be taken up .with advantage. There are doubtless hundreds who would avail themselves of the opportunity of revisiting the place if some special attraction were prepared and they could come back at the one time and be sure of a period of happy reunion, with reminiscences and joy prevailing, The stories of eld mining days and the forgathering of school chums of the olden days would indeed be interesting. I ■ hope this matter wiP be taken up by some of our local organisations. FORWARD PAEROA.