BOOSTING THE TOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 148, 9 November 1912, Page 4

BOOSTING THE TOWN.

That enthusiasm is not dead in New Plymouth, as it is so frequently alleged, was shown conclusively last evening, when the proposals formulated by a number of public-spirited gentlemen to "boost" the town and district, bringing under the notice of tourists and holidaymakers the many attractions with 'which Nature lias so bounteously provided lis, were heartily taken up, and, what is more to the point, those present ungrudgingly and spontaneously promised an amount that will ensure the success of the scheme. Over £320, the amount promised, distributed over a period of three years, is a large sum of money for a meeting in the town to subscribe, and. must be in the nature of a record. It was, however, generally agreed that a great opportunity for furthering the interests of the town and district was being neglected, that the scheme outlined provided the nucleus of a movement that would remedy the neglect, and, as bricks cannot be manufactured without straw, funds had to be furnished, and this was done in a surprisingly handsome manner. We only hope the rest of the community will be likewise generous. Taking a selfish view of the matter, subscriptions for such a cause are but an investment, and one likely to prove exceedingly profitable. Towns with nothing like the attractions and prospects of New Plymouth are boomed as ideal places for holidaying, retiring to and investing in, and the attendant success leads us to believe that the attractions and resources of New Plymouth which are unequalled in the Dominion—we go further and say in the whole of Australasia—when exploited in a similar fashion, cannot help diverting a big share of the traffic this way. Once outside people see and enjoy what the place can offer, there is little risk of this quarter being overlooked in future. But it is no use awaiting their pleasure. We must go to them, show them by every means in our power why New Plymouth has the best scenic attractions in Australasia, the best trout fishing, the best sea front, the best sea baths, bowling and tennis greens second to none, golf links incomparable for variety and beauty, and all the rest of it. And we must keep on showing them and repeating them story. For that reason it was wise of the meeting not to go on with the scheme unless it could be extended over a period of three years, by which time the results should be so satisfactory as to justify making the scheme a permanent undertaking of the town. The initiators of the scheme have reason to feel gratified with the enthusiastic reception accorded it last evening, and we trust that when the rest of those with interests in the town are waited upon, as no doubt they will be in due course, the response will be such as to enable the Association to considerably expand , the scheme adopted as a basis of action last evening.