The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8. A GALA WEEK FOR NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 311, 8 January 1908, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8. A GALA WEEK FOR NEW PLYMOUTH.

Most of those who have been taking their well-earned relaxation Irom work, and making the most of the holidays at this season of the year, have again settled down to their various occupations. Visitors to New Plymouth have been more numerous than usual, and trade has been correspondingly brisk. Thanks to fine weatlier, holiday-makers have nad a good tune, and all outdoor sports, picnics, etc., have been well patronised. Few, if any, towns in the Dominion possess such a wealth of attractions as can be found in and around our town. All the same, it is only too evident that if the leading citizens bestirred themselves a far larger influx of visitors would result, and by the adoption of an enterprising policy in the matter of developing our numerous available attractions not only would the town be well ndvertised, but it would tnte tlie position it ought to occupy by r»!i=nn of its unique position nnd snrrwdings. It is just ns imperative f">t. a tovn endowed ivith attractive f.-nl iirofl phonld m il;e tlie most of its r'™ts pa it i* fir a joint stock company to earn the largest dividends that pood management and sound enterprise can command. Until this policy is recognised and adopted the public should not rest satisfied. 1 Where there Is a ■will there is a way. The assets exi9t and await exploitation.

It is almost without exception that all movements of the kind indicated above are initiated and brought to a head by the enthusiastic lew. As a striking example in this direction we have only to see what a handful of determined young men have accomplished in the case of the llecreation Sports Ground. AH honor to them for their pluck and perseverance. To lace «n outlay of £2OOO for the public good and have unbounded faith in the result shows that we possess the right kind of men to stamp the district as enterprising and up-to-date. More of t, he same sort are needed, and it is to be hoped they will come forward. They miy well be proud of the result of their publicspirited action, for they have conferred on the town the honor of possessing the finest sports ground in the colony. Their work stands as a memorial of wliat can be accomplished by well-direct-ed ellorts. . .We mention this not no much with the intention oi giving praise where it is due, uut ramer tu ewpiusiae the contention that by tne adoption 01 a similar policy several other improvements and attractions may be added to those already existing. It's a policy that pays. Moreover, it is recognised that the prosperity of the town depends to a large extent on the industrial population of the country districts, 'i'uit being so, surely it is incumbent on the town to do its utmost to provide recreation for those by whose labor the town thrives.

Assuming for the moment the existence of an effective organisation for making the most of our recreative attractions, there remains for consideration the very important question as to the scope of operations. Most probibly there will be diversity 01' opinion on this subject, but on the essential points there may fairly be expected a consensus of opinion. A plan that suggests itself as a safe basis to work on is that of establishing an annual carnival or gala octave, so arranged as to attract and please all sort< and conditions of men, women, and children. The material already available may be said to eonsiat of the racecourse, Recreation Grounds, Western Park, the seashore, tennis grounds, bowling greens, swimming baths, golf links, and Mount Egpiont. These form 110 insignificant list, bflt other items need to be added. 111 the Jirst place a great feature should be m.lde of the utility of our harbor. Short ssa trips to Mokau, OpunaHe, and other places would prove very attractive. A regatta on a small or large scale, might well be organised in tlie protected area; pf the breakwater, while possibly sufficient yachts or other sailing craft could be induced to take part and also to take small parties for a cruise. Trips to Mokau could be included in tlie programme. No doubt arrangements could be made for taking visitors up that river in launches so that they might become acquainted with one of the grandest stretches of natural riparian beauty to be found in the Dominion. There are also many other beauty spots in the district that could be popularised if reasonable charges were made tor conveyances. In the town there ale .two good bands, but what is sadly needed is a suitable promenade by the sea artistically laid out and lighted in tie evening by electric lamps In more than one color. For a seaside town New Plymouth is remarkhilly behind the times in making the most of its situation. Of course money would be required, but it would he a good investment. Why the band stand was erected in a veritable wilderness of sand and scrub is a quftstion that puzzles even the townspeople—visitors give up the query in despair. We hope to see this altered, and an attempt made to make our sea front an attractive promenade.

The above outline is necessarily crude, and is merely put forward as a ground work fiff operations having for their object tile advancement of the district. Let it not bV forgotten that the more visitors are attracted to Taranaki by the enterprise of the people, the greater will be the number of desinble residents. It is time to give proof of what can be done when the credit of the town and district is at stake. We cannot too strongly urge the commencement of a well-organised campaign to carry ont a scheme something on the lines suggested above. There 5s nearlv twelve months available for action, but the time is none too long.