POPULARISING NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 190, 23 September 1909, Page 3

POPULARISING NEW PLYMOUTH

CHRISTMAS AND THE SEASIDE. A public meeting was held in the Town Hall last night to discuss the matter of providing some summer amusements at the seaside this season. His Worship the Mayor, the convener, presided, and there-were also present— Messrs C. E. and F. C. J. Bellringer, J. Elliott, J. Clarke, W. D. Webster. C. K. Baker, Harris Ford, C. Carter, W. Ambury, G. Bishop, F. W. Sandiord, M. Jones, J. Morey, A. R. Standish, Southam, H. Ford, J. H. Hobbs, and R. C. Hughes. Apologies for non-attendance were received trom Captain Hood, Messrs S. W. Shaw, N. K. MacDiarmid, R. Cock, W. H. Skinner. J. McLeod and H. Stocker.

A (XJJQIITTEE FORMED. The Mayor, in opening, reviewed the work of the Seaside Improvement Committee, which had been responsible for the extension of the esplanade, and had held various functions. On New Year's d&y, with H.M.S. Cambrian and the training-ship Amokura in port as the result of the committee's work, there had been from 6000 to 7000 people at the picnic on the beach. The ships' crews had been well entertained, and letters recently received here stated in a 40,000 miles cruise the Cambrian's peo. pie had not met with such hospitality. His Worship also referred to tne little canvas town that sprang up on the foreshore last year under the committee's management, parties coming from as far as Masterton and spending very pleasant times camping on the beach. This promised to be a big thing every summer, for the place was very suitable for this most economical and healthful holiday-making. The committee had also leased a small piece of ground at Moturoa as a site for a bungalow, but the funds had not proved sufficient to erect it. However, it was coming. There had been erected a "cook-house" •aa other buildings likely to be of service to the campers. All the entertainment of the mea-o'-warsra«n had been carried out without cost to che citizens, with the exception of the initial canvass in the room when the picnic was first decided on. He move!, That in the opinion of this meeting it u desirable that a committee be set up 1 for the purpose of popularising the se* beach and so establishing New Plymouth as a seaside resort. 1 Mr. F. C. Bellringer seconded, and ex- 1 pressed his pleasure that the reproach ' to New Plymouth in failing to provide 1 amusement for summer visits was being - removed. It was extremely gratifying ( to see how largely the various functions f organised were patronised by the people 1 of the province. ( tThe motion was carried. s A WAtTARA REQUEST. 1

[The chairman read the following telegram from Mr. H. Spnrdle, secretary to the Waitara regatta: "Propose holding Taranaki annual regatta on January Ist owing to tide being suitable. i Kindly endeavor in drawing up your programme not to clash." His Worship said he regretted very much that personally he could not re commend postponing the picnic, for 't was going to be a big annual New Year's Day picnic. The Mayor was requested to reply to that effect. Mjv'A. L. Humphries, chairman of the Recreation Sports Ground Committee, isaid that up till last year New Year s Day had generally been occupied by his committee, but last year tliev Jedecided to give up the day to the" seaside picnic people, as desired by the I Mayor and the people. But that decision had cost them £.IOO. The committee had decided to hold sports on t'ie coming New Yearts Day, but then, learning of the desire to hold the picnic again, his committee had decided that very evening not to proceed with their function if the people wanted to hoid the picnic. The Sports Ground Committee was not going to interfere with them, and, further, was prepared to assist m every way. They would hoM fc iunction, of course, for tliey were hard pressed for funds, and he hoped the people would remember that they had again given up their date in the interests of the place. The Mayor announced that the Swimming Club would probably hold a sports meeting during Christmas week, feither in the baths or in the Recreation Grounds. lie also expressed his appreciation of the Sports Ground Committee's publicHspirited action. Mr. C. E. Bellringer said they would all appreciate .the action of the committee. He pointed out, though, that only a few years ago a big citizen's picnic used to be held on the beach on Ne.v Year's hut the Mayor of that time, lacking backbone, allowed others to filch theTpeoplp'a day. The point liad been raised that this committee s picnic might bk held in February, but they must remfciber that Stratford's big excursion toqk place in the first week in that mont\jnd New Plymouth . people , wouldn't wreh to clash wHh that. He trusted th'at when the Sports Ground Committee announced a function the public would remember the public-spirited action which Mr. Humphries had just announced. Mr. Sandford moved that the picnic be held on New Year's Day. He remarked that he had learned from interested in education that last year's picnic Had proved of great value to the children, and a source of great enjoyment. A repetition was being eagerly iooked forward to.. Mr. J. Morey seconded. In the consequent discussion, the Mayor pointed out in reply to Mr. Standish that this year it would be difficult to arrange a series of functionsfn the Christmas week. Christmas Day fell upon a Saturday. The Taranaki Jockey Club's races would be held on Monday and Tuesday. Then the ' town would on Saturday close for New Year's Day, and the shopkeepers would hardly be likely to close between Tuesday and Saturday. Of course, there might be a holiday on Monday, 3rd January. Mr. Baker thought there was almost sure to be a'holiday on the Monday. Mf. Bellringer and Mr. Amburv were of the contrary opinion, but felt that if there were such a holiday the committee should provide some programme for that (I". (The motioi. was> carried. Mr. CartcT noved a. very hearty vote

of tliai'A's to the Sports Ground Committee for the magnanimous offer, entailing considerable sacrifice. Mr. C. E. Bcllringer seconded, and til" notion was carried by acclamation. The meeting pledged itself by resolution to as*ist the Sports Ground Committee •when they hold their function in ajd of their funds.

/ V ANNUAL AFFAIR. , It was also decided that the seaside < picnic at New Plymouth be an annual affair. A FEBRUARY FUNCTION. It was decided, upon the Mayor's suggestion, to co-operate with the Navy League in endeavoring to have a warship stationed at New Plymouth during February. The meeting approved a suggestion by Mr. Amtrfiry that upon that occasion a great naval demonstration should be arranged by the committee, any promts to be handed t° "the Recreation Sports Ground Committee. ANNIVERSARY DAY. Tlie Mayor announced that the committee would co-operate with the Vetwans' Association in the holding of a hig function at Moturoa on March 31st ,< Anniversary Day). 1