ADVERTISING THE DISTRICT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 225, 11 February 1913, Page 4

ADVERTISING THE DISTRICT

EXPAX.SIOX AND TOURIST LEAGUE,

A meeting of the New Plymouth Expansion and Tourist League was held last evening, there being present;— Messrs. \V. C. Weston, I'. \7hite, K. K MaeDiarinid, Jas. McLeoil, ). R. Cunck: shank, K. Webster, A. E. Sykes, S. Tixd, M. Hardy, and T. C. List.

In the absence of Dr. L. ;, at'.nui. Mr List, was voted to the r/nair. COLLECTING SUBSOT rTION'S.

Tlie canvassers reported ci the j. regress made in connection wjvJi collecting subscription, and a sub-committee was set up to facilitate the work. A neffort is to be made to approach every property owner who has ,iot yet contributed to the funds of the League. TRIP TO SYDNEY.

The assistant-general manager of the Union S.S. Company wrote regarding the proposal made by the League that one of the inter-colonial vessels should make a special trip from New Plymouth directto Sydney in March, allowing passengers three weeks in .Australia, the vessel returning from Sydney to New Plymouth' direct. Inter alia, he said:—"The outgoing steamer from Wellington 011 Friday of each week is under obligation to deiiver her mails in Sydney on the following Tuesday, and as regards the returning vessels from Sydney to Wellington, it is necessary they should reach the latter port on' Wednesday in good time to allow them to complete their work and pick up the time-table running for Melbourne on Thursday. Under these circumstances I am sorry it is not possible at the present time .to make any arrangement which would permit one of the inter-colonial vessels to make the special trip in question." Members expressed regret at the decision. At least 100 would, it Was stated, make the trip, providing a minimum of £IOOO in passage money. It was decided to write to an' Australian co'npany and take every possible steu in order to o-ive effect to the proposal. MOKAU RIVjER SCENERY.

The League wrote some time afro to the Prime Minister bringing under hi 3 notice the position regarding the Mokau ■River scenery, some parts of which had been felled and burned, and other parts threatened, and the League asked that those portions which had been surveyed should be gazetted, a portion held under lease fenced, and another portion purchased from the native owners and proclaimed a scenic reserve. The League also invited the Prime Minister to visit the district as soon as he could, and see the river scenery for himself.

The Hon. Mr. Massev gstve .a court cons but a non-committal reply. In the discussion ensuing, it was shown that tlie matter was one of considerable urgency. Some of the best parts of the river scenery were threatened with destruction by those engaged in bush felling in the' and unless action was prompt, there was a danger of the scenery being irretrievably lost to the present and future generations. It was decided, to enlist the services of the Taranaki members of Parliament. and a deputation consisting of Dr. Leatham, Messrs. Cruiekshank. Svkcs. Weston, McHardy and List was appointed_ to wait upon the Hon. Mr. Hcrries this morning in connection with the matter. WEEK-END EXCURSION. The question of issuing week-end excursion fares from Hawera and intermediate stations to New Plymouth is also to be brought under the notice of the Minister of "Railways. A UNIFICATION SCHEME. A committee was set up to formulate a scheme for unifying the efforts of the different organisations in the town, fo: the .improvement of the town and its attractions. Tt was felt that much belter and more effective work would be done were a definite plan evolved and aimed at by all_ parties. Tlie committee will also consider proposals for the further advancement of the town. "RESISTS OF THE CAMPAIGN

It was stated that over 1000 visitors above tliose of previous years bad been in \ T ew Plymouth for the holiday sen..son. a result which was regarded by members as entirely satisfactory, since fiot the most optimistic anticipated such response till after the second advertising; campaign. The secretary reported that lellers of appreciation from tourists who hail visited the district were still flowing in. All the. visitors seemed to be delightedwith and not a little surprised at what, the town and district provided for iourists. TTe had only that day received aletter from an Aucklander who was so delighted with the town and his stay at the Mountain Hostelry that he was arranging for his friends and relatives to form a party and spend the Plaster holidays here. Routine business was transacted, two' small accounts passed for payment, anrt the meeting adjourned.