The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23. THE BIRTH OF A WATERING PLACE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 307, 23 December 1908, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23. THE BIRTH OF A WATERING PLACE

This week witnesses Uie iiiiLialion of Liie lii'si practical attempt, to exploit Uie unrivalled natural facilities wnich New Plymouth possesses as 1111 embryo watering plucu. Magnificently endowed by nature, historically associated with some of the most stirring events of early colonisation, and conveniently situated, it is surprising that advantage has not long ere this been taken of our resources. It certainly has not neon because visitors have failed to appreciate the restful beauty of our surroundings; on the.- other, hand we are forced: to conclude that the local people have failed to appreciate the value of their natural assets, and to encourage their use. Instead of "merely commencing to attract an annual stream of holidaymakers, New Plymouth should long ago have been in the hey-day of popularity as a seaside resort. Better late than •never, however, and at the commencement of this holiday season we can only express our appreciation of the work of the Seaside Improvement Committee, which is laying the foundation of the development of our seaside resources. Already visitors from as far afield as Mastcrton and I'eilding, and from the nearer-hand towns of Patca, Hawera, Kltlinm and Stratford, through the agency of the Seaside Improvement Committee, have made arrangements to KjKMid the summer vacations here. Many of these have.. made arrangements through, the committee to camp on the beach at Moturoa, where a little township of well-constructed canvas residences lias made its. appearance Tin? situation is a splendid one for camping parties, well-sheltered and private, yet within a few minutes' walk of town, and immediately overlooking an ideal surf-bathing and •■ lishing ground-. A splendid water-supply has been tapped, and arrangements also made by Hie committee for convenient supplies of firewood, etc. On the-whole, providing favorable weather is experienced, our, visitors, we have iio doubt, will have no reason to be disappointed witk Xew Plymouth. Rome was not built in a j day, nor is it to be expected that the resources of the camping ground, will be taxed this year. We confidently believe, however, that for every party living on the beach this summer, there will be six next year. Every effort of course, must .be made to encourage these visitors, and a permanent cooking house, and perhaps accommodation houses will ere long have to be provided. Money (nust be found, however, and to that end the committee hopes to make a beginning with the special holiday functions that have been promoted. The principal' of these is the monster seaside picnic to be held on New Year's Day, at which the attraction par excellence will be one of lI.M warships and the Xew Zealand Government training ship Amokura. The presence of these representatives of the British Navy in New Plymouth harbor is an event of some importance. To the great majority of the younger generation in Tara- .. naki to whom the opportunity of boarding a warship has probably not previously occurred, the occasion will not be without its educational value. The visit of these vessels is, moreover, a practical demonstration of the growth of the port, in itself an event of some significance. Willi such events as a novel entertainment under electric light in the Recreation Grounds on 30th December, and a garden party and athletic sports on (he Sports Ground on January 2nd, at which the visiting man-o'-wars-uieu will be present, the public will have no cause to complain of tire special efforts put forward for their amusement bv the Seaside Improvement Committee, 1 lie members of which have our best wishes for the success of their efforts and ambitions.