SHOPPING WEEK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3629, 23 April 1927, Page 2

SHOPPING WEEK.

COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO DISCUSS DETAILS.

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor (Mr. M. E. PerreauL was held in the Town Hall supperroom last night to discuss the question of holding a shopping week in Foxton. Although not representative of all the businesses, those who usually take an interest in the welfare of the town were present.

Mr. Perreau was voted to the chair and outlined the object of the meeting. It had been suggested, he said, that the business people get together and hold a carnival week in Foxton, the same as was done in other towns, with the object of brightening things up and advertising the town. Mr. G-. F. Smith said the suggestion was a commendable one and conplimented the Mayor on bringing the suggestion forward.

Mr. I. Corn outlined his experiences of shopping weeks in Napier and their success, but stressed the necessity of unanimity among the shopkeepers to make a* success of the venture. The idea was that each shop arrange some suitable display or stunt for the week, the main object being to attract outsiders into Foxton during the period.

The Mayor referred to the success of a shopping week recently held in Levin, and said that he had been in touch with the Power Board in connection with specinl street lighting during the week if the project should eventuate and the cost in this connection would be about 30/- for the current, y- MS-. Christie said that out of the 40 shops in the town there were only nine representatives present at the meeting. It would be no use going ahead with the scheme un-

less all the shopkeepers pulled together. It,would, be necessary to have their sanction of the scheme in writing before anything was done.

A general discussion then ensued as to the best time for holding the carnival week.

Mr. Corn favoured holing it during the winter when business was slack.

Mr. D. Ball also spoke in favour of a carnival week but said that the week should either be a shopping week straight out or a week of gaiety. It was impossible to enjoy sport and attend to business at the same time. Levin had held a successful shopping week quite recently because they had the right class of business people there. Foxton also had the right stuff “but they would have to liven up a bit if they, were going to make a success of the project locally. . Mr- A. E. Scott favoured holding a carnival week in October, to be run in conjunction with the motor sports. This was also favoured by Mr. P. J. Jack.

Mr. J. K. Hornblow outlined his ideas for holding a shopping week, which lie thought would be a success if properly managed, .and be a good advertisement for the town. Mi’. Yeo favoured the holding of a carrival on shopping week, but not in the winter.

It was. finally decided to hold a shopping week and a committee consisting of Messrs Perreau, Christie, Yeo, D. Ball, G. Smith, I. Corn, A. E. Scott, and P. J. .Jack was set up to discuss the matter and report to a public meeting to be belli next Friday evening.