The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6. THE SEASIDE CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 316, 6 January 1909, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6. THE SEASIDE CARNIVAL.

S'ohvithstanding the extremely adverse i •ouditious encountered by the Seaside i [ni]>ruvi'im'nt Committee for their ini- i :ial public functions, it is generally re- . ;ognised Unit the committee Ims demonstrated the practicability of ?nticing people in llii'ir thousands to utilise the splendid seashore as :i picnic and holi-' day resort. The enormous crowd that tool; possession of the beach and wharf on Xew Year's Day amply compensated the committee for their efforts At a modest estimate, it is generally conceded there were 7000 people present, pro bably half of that number being visit ors from the country Xo one will dispute our assertion that such a function is good for New -Plymouth, equally as it is good for our visitors whose opportunities of inhaling the life-giving ozone of the ocean breeze are few. I'ndoubt' edly the attraction to a great many people was the presence in the harbor of 11..U.5. Cambrian and the (ioverunient naval training ship Amokura. We have

heard some carping critics finding fault with the arrangements made by the ' committee for conveying people from the wharf to the ships. It is undeniably *■ that large numbers of people were un-. J able to gratify their desire to look ovcif a real, live warship, but if is unfair t<j throw odium on the committee on tli.i'j account. In the first 'place, it should not be forgotten that the members of ' the committee made themselves individually liable for the whole cost of the* various functions they promoted, and' we would ask those who now jind fault whether they would, in view of the weather prevailing, have cheerfully undertaken a further CSO liability in order to secure a small steamer. As a

matter of act, the quest-ion was not ' overlooked, iiiid a boat was tentatively contracted for, but unfortunately tlif definite oiler from the owners wa'a iiot received until too late to arrange the charter. Under the circumstances, and with the kindly assistance of the visitors' boats and the local tishing lleet, all that was possible was done, and we arc sure that was generally recognised. In any case, the committee gained vahniow experience that will be turned to profitable account on future occasions. Th<-. committee as at present constituted has no assured means of obtaining revenue, with winch to carry on the work ij has voluntarily set itself to accomplish. The various entertainments arranged with the two-fold object of amusing the public and recouping the committee for the cost of entertaining, etc., owing t<"A the unpropitious weather And frequent postponements, were not financially successful. The carnival, if such it may be called, was not in the slightest sense, a money-making alVair, the whole idea being to give the public a maximum -of enjoyment at a minimum of cost. 0U- S viously, however, the work of further improving the Esplanade, the camping ground, the comfort of camper.*, etc., cannot be carried on without funds. Tho principal aim of the committee is to i:v I iluce seaside holiday-makers to mak'f New Plymouth their choice, and ill thv little canvas township now growing up at Moturoa. under the committee's auspices, optimists see the commencement-, of the West Coast watering-place. For every family camping on the beach this year. there will be live next year, <nnd irnder judicious management the scheme must steadily grow. That must be a good tiling for the town and the business people. Even the initial functions of last week had an appreciable eil'ecf* on business, and nevera! of our trades}people are still considerable gainer?" from; the extended visit of the Cambrian, whose 300 odd men have to 'be, fed. The work that has been commenced by the Seaside Improvement Committer must be continued, and we would impress on tradespeople and townspeople generally the wisdom of affording the committee "every measure of support, liuancial and otherwise. The best part of the ciunping season is still to <onie;' while the country schools' excursions in which the committee propose to interest themselves by providing amusements j hot water, tea, etc.. will engage a considerable amount of time. The improv ing of Die approaches to the camping" ground, the provision of a eoinfortalil/".,kitchen ami possibly a bungalow will entail a considerable expenditure in money. All will he money well invested, however, and we trust townspeople will view the matter in that light. Possibly the bettor way of ensuring Ihft continuance of the Seaside Committee's policy would be by the formation of n permanent society, members contributing ;in annual subscription. By this mean.-, everyone could have an opportunity of i participating in the work of developing 1 New Plymouth's magnificent aesthetic resources, while, at (he same time thi* committee would be relieved of anxiety regarding their liabilities under unfortunate, circumstances such as obtained during the past week.