ADVERTISING NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 174, 10 December 1912, Page 8

ADVERTISING NEW PLYMOUTH.

KXL'AXSJOX AX J.) TOURIST LEACH'JO. The weekly meeting of the executive of the New Plymouth Expansion and Tourist League was held last evening, there being present: Dr. Leatham (chairman), Rev. Burton, Messrs. W. Bewley, S. W. Shaw, W. A. Collis, .1. McT.eod, I'. White, A. E. S.vkes, K. Webster, W. Weston, A. M. MrDiarmid, Cruiekshanks, T._C. List and G. Ti.bor. The chairman was authorised to sign eneques in conjunction with the secretary. Mr. K. Webster notified his inability to accept the position of treasurer, and the question of filling it was deferred till next meeting, the chairman to make enquiries as to the availability of a suitable person for the position in the interim.

The matter of securing accommodation for tourists was discussed at length. It was mentioned that one of the hotels was considering the question of improvising a neighboring public building for boarding purposes during the holiday period. Its accommodation for fifty persons had already been bespoken, and provision was bejng made for a further fiity. A good deal of the other hotel accommodation was being taken up, and it was felt that in order to effectively cope with the holiday traffic the League should be in possession of full particulars of whatever private accommodation was available.

It was stated that the League, by notification in the press, is inviting householders willing to take in boarders during the holiday season to furnish the secretary with particulars forthwith. That further boarding accommodation will bo required is apparent from the enquiries that are being made, as a result of the advertising campaign. These are coming from all parts of the Dominion.

Further enquiries regarding the extension of hotel accommodation or the! building of a seaside resort are to be made, and the subject will be dealt with at a later meeting. ] The canvassing committee reported' that the week hni lieen spent in looting particulars of property owners who so far had not contributed to the i funds of the League. These are to be circularised and afterwards waited upon by a representative or agent of the League. It is expected that every ratepayer in the town will be either written to or interviewed. The committee was asked to expedite the work so that it could be completed before the beginning of the holidays. It was reported that the money subscribed to date amounted to over £325, nearly all of which Is for three years. The chairman reported that no word had yet been received from the Railway Department in reply to the representations of the recent deputation from the League for the issue of week-end excursion fares from Haweraand intermediate stations to New Plymouth. The question of helping the Acclimatisation Society to secure convictions of the persons who are dynamiting the trout streams was further considered, and it was the unanimous feeling of the meeting that the League should co-oper-ate with the-Society in, every way it could to put a stop to this reprehensible and sport-destroying practice. It was reported that the secretary of the Taranaki Teachers' Institute had waited upon the advertising committee regarding the proposal to invite the New South Wales teachers who are about to tour New Zealand to include this district in their itinerary. It was decided to co-operate with the Institute in the matter of arranging cricket, bowling 1

I and tennis matches for the visitors snould they be able to pay the visit. The Advertising Committee reported that the Press campaign was well under weigh, and that almost without exception the Press of the Dominion had entered into the spirit of the League's scheme, and were going out of their way to ensure its success. The meeting expressed, in warm terms, its appreciation of this special and liberal treatment, and a resolution thanking the newspapers for their consideration *and help was unanimously passed, and a copy of the resolution ordered to be forwarded to tho papers. It was reported that effective work was being done by the advertising envelopes, but that some of the business people had so far failed to realise the potency of this form of pushing the interests of the district, and were not employing tho envelopes to the extent anticipated. Steps are to be taken to get further supplies of envelopes taken up. Proofs of the folders, illustrating the attractions of the district, were submitted to members, and it was reported the printing was being expedited as much as possible, and that by the end of the week a fair supply would be available. The printing committee was asked to have printed a card giving particulars •■ of "where and how to go" for hanging in the hotels ind boarding houses of the town.

The question of getting out framed illustrations for placing in outside hotels, tourist bureaux, and public places, was deferred.

It was report2il that the Borough Council was having, painted a large direction board for the guidance of strangers, and that the Mayor wished to know the League's views in regard to whom persons requiring further information should be directed. It was decided to suggest the name on the board should be that of the League's secretary. It is also J;o be suggested to the ' Council that it provide more directing boards, the location of which to be left to the League. A sub-conraittee was appointed to go into the whole question of office accommodation and installation of telephone, with power to act in the latter regard. A sub-committee was also appointed to wait upon the Grocers' Association. The question of arranging for a steamer trip from the Breakwater to the Mokau, and thence up the river, was introduced, and, after discussion, held 'over for future action. Tlie meeting adjourned 'till next Monday evening.