FOXTON’S ATTRACTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3707, 22 October 1927, Page 2

FOXTON’S ATTRACTIONS.

—V RAILWAY'S DEPARTMENT’S

SCHEME,

ADOPTED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

At Thursday night's Chamber of Commerce meeting the following letter was 1 received from the local stationmaster (Mr. 11. Hornblow) : “It is the intention of the Railway Department to issue booklets, at an early date, prepared in an attractive form, and containing useful information, accompanied by photographs of the various picnic grounds and pleasure resorts in New Zealand, within convenient reach various principal centres of population. “The Department reeognisqs that there is considerable scope for increasing the amount of picnic travelling done by pupils attending schools and colleges, employees of factories, warehouses and large retail establishments, and by members of clubs, associations and friendly societies, and in order to make as widely known as possible the facilities it has to offer for carrying such parties, the above scheme lias been decided on, and the assistance of the staff' is desired in obtaining photographs of resorts in their neighbourhood, and other information suitable for inclusion in the booklets. “I consider that Foxton has a great asset in the beach as a picnic and pleasure resort. It is a firstclass sea-side resort, within easy reach of one of the principal centres of population—Palmerston North, and is, or should be the pleasure ground of the Manawatu District. It has many attractions, which are noticably lacking in many so called lirst-class resorts which are always being placed before the public, and personally I think it is worthy of space in the Department’s booklet. “The beach has never yet been advertised and if its many attractions such as the two beaches, the ocean beach for adult bathing and the river beach for children, which is noted for its safety, the settlement itself, and the various beauty spots and picnic grounds among the trees, and any other advantages were photographed and placed before the public, it would not only benefit the Department, but would be of great benefit to Foxtoh itself. There may be other attractions in the town which you may think worthy of consideration, but I would suggest that this opportunity of advertising throughout New Zealand, especially the beach for picnic traffic, be taken full advantage of, because it would be the means of literally placing Foxton on the map as a tourist resort. “It is recognised that the Chambers of Commerce and Beautifying Societies of the various towns wobld be only too willing to assist in this connection, so I would be glad therefore, providing your Chamber is agreeable to the suggestion, to have your co-operation in having the neiessary photographing carried out, and I would like you to submit particulars of whatever advertising- you think necessary. The particulars (in brief) should be entered on the backs of the photographs, which are required to be sent forward as early as possible.” The president said the letter was interesting and worthy of the Chamber’s serious consideration. Some time ago the Chamber considered taking an advertising space in the Christmas edition of a leading weekly paper in order to boost Foxton’s sea-side resort, and other attractions, but the lack of finance had been the stumbling block. Now, however, the Railway Department had offered a wide field of publicity without cost, except the taking of the photographs. He would suggest a committee be set up to deal immediately with the matter. The Mayor (Mr. Perrcau) endorsed the president’s remarks and said such an opportunity to ad- , vertise Foxton should not be allowed to pass. He had previously supported an advertising campaign to boost Foxton, but this offer was more advantageous. He had much pleasure in donating £5 towards the cost of procuring suitable photos. The Mayor was thanked for his generous offer and the matter was left in the hands of the Mayor, the Town Clerk, Mr. Christie and secretary to attend to.