THE NGAMOTU BEACH.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1917, Page 6

THE NGAMOTU BEACH.

CITIZENS ENTERTAINED. DEVELOPMENT OF BEACHES. About 50 guests gathered at the Ngamotu 'Pavilion on Thursday evening at the invitation of the Ngamotu Re-, sorts, Ltd., to celebrate the formal opening of the Pavilion. Mr. J. D. Sole, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. Among those present were Mr. J. W. Hayden, chairman of directors of Ngamotu Reports, Ltd.; Mr John Connctt, chairman of the Taranaki County Council; members of the Borough Council; members of the Harbor Board, editors of the local press, and other representative citizens. The company sang the National Anthem, and -then partokk of a supper provided by the hosts. After "The King," Mr. W. J. Penn proposed the toast of ''Ngamotu Resorts, Ltd." When he came here S3 years ago he was struck with the opportunity the beach afforded for development as a seaside resort. The Stratford people were the first to show their appi - eciation of the Ngamotu beach about 13 years ago, and the people of the town soon followed the lead given. He traced the growth of the popularity of the local beaches, and mentioned that when the people of Whangamomona visited Ngamotu recently, the children, many of whom had never seen the .sea before, became frantic with delight Vs they waded in the surf. At Ngamotti there was a fine safe beach, with a goad surf. He suggested that steps should be taken to carry out the improvement of the New Plymouth beaches on a uniform plan. 'He thought an esplanade, with provision for 1 ' 'foot and vehicular traffic, should be constructed. The cottages should •be built .with a view to providing for such an esplanade. He favored the proposal to increase the number of cottages, for he felt sure that where one family stayed on the beach this season, 100 would stay there in the near future. Concluding, Mr. Penn congratulated the company on. the success it had achieved.

Mr. J. W. Hayden, in reply, expressed the company's appreciation of the fine gathering present. He said that five or six men recognised the chance of developing the Ngamotu bench two and a-half years ago. A bathing shed and a fewswings were erected. This'accommodation was absurd, and the promoters set about to provide proper facilities for the public. The question of finance arose. A company, with. a. ■capital of £SOOO, was formed, and DO per cent, of the business people of the town became shareholders. In three weeks £3240 was subscribed. There were still shares to sell. The average shareholder held 2o shares, and on that basis every shareholder would receive Is 9d per annum. It was proposed to build a pavilion at a cost of £ 120(1 and .30 cottages. Tenders were called, and the lowest tender for the pavilion was £2035. This was eventually cut down to £1735, and the work was proceeded with. In 10 weeks the revenue from the cottages was .-£ll2. The company could havo let 100 cottages the present season. During the pasty. 10 weeks 17,000 people had used the downstairs portion of the pavilion, without 'Counting- the picnickers. Including the latter, he estimated the number at 25,000. The total revenue so far was £BBO. These figures had exceeded the highest anticipations. The tea-room portion had been difficult to manage. The proceeds from this source were £llO. He estimated the net proceeds of the Pavilion for the 10 weeks at £3SO. When the people of Stratford were on the beach a few weeks ago, he said, they left behind them £«. The company had lost the majority of its workers owing to enlistments, and a few of the married men had carried en. As evidencing the success of the venture, Mr. Hayden mentioned that two ladies had taken £4O at one ice-cream stall. With regard to the point raised by M#. Penn, Mr. Hayden said the Railway Department stood in the way. An esplanade could not be made until the people of New 'Plymouth became the owners of the stretch of foreshore now held by the Department. The success of the enterprise had been largely due to the great work done by Mr. li. O. Ellis, the hon. secretary. (Applause.) All the members of the company had worked for nothing, and their reward was the success achieved. Several gentlemen had signed a joint and several guarantee at the bank for £2OOO. It was expected thnt the company woiild be able to repay the amount in five years. He appealed to citizens to assist the company by taking up shares, and releasing the guarantors from their liability. Mr. Hayden resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr. fieorge Grey .proposed the toast, "The Local Bodies," coupled with the names of Messrs. Newton King (Harbor Board), E. 'Griffiths (Borough Council), and' John Connett (County Council). In a fine speech, Mr. Grey said the Harbor Board had met the Ngarnotu Company in every way, and although it could liot give the company security of tenure for its pavilion and cottages, still the investors need not have any fear. The Borough Council had given the company liglit, sanitation, water service, and access to the beach. The Comity Council had also given good roads which provided the country people with access to the town.

Mr. Newton King, Mr. Griffiths, and Mr. Connett replied. ~ Mr. King, in the course of a humorous speech, said the Harbor Board had met every request of the Ngamotu Company, and was always ready to assist any scheme for the advancement of the foreshore. There was a time when the board did not pul! togewier, when there was a feeling .of town v. country, but that had disappeared, and in its place there had come a feeling of mutual confidence and co-operation. Indeed, no board in New Zealand pulled together better than the New Plymouth Harbor Board. (Applause.) And the country members were always the first to support the town's requests. He admired the men who .had been responsible for the building of the pavilion and the cottages. But they had made a mistake, as he had told them at the outset. They should have made the pavilion larger, as in the original scheme, for lie was convinced Ngamotu had a great future before it as a seaside resort. He was also certain that New Plymouth's future ivas assured, So long as they kept moving and took advantage of their many opportunities. Mr. Griffiths regarded the future of New Plymouth with optimism. The Ngamotu Company deserved the thanks of the community for what they had done.

Mr. J. Connett referred to the fact of the County Council making a start tar-sealing the road, alongside the

borough boundary, and looked forward to the time when all tl'.e roads would be treated similarly. Respecting the Agricultural Society, it wi«s animated by a progressive spirit, as shown by their going in for grounds of their own, and fitting them up in the up-to-date way they were. This was helping the town, ami was an evidence of the progressive spirit now possessing the town and district. He was glad to associate himself with am- movement that made for progress. He believed in the town and the district, and he was always ready to help in any progressive movement. Mr. Percy Webster proposed "The Progress of New Plymouth," and, in doing so, he traced the history of New Plymouth from the day the first pioneers landed until the present. Ho referred to the harbor, the local Dcauty spots, municipal concerns and tramways, the inauguration of deep-sea, shipping, and expressed the view that Sew Plymouth would become a very important town indeed. He praised the work of the Tourist and Expansion League, which had proved a big factor in the. town's expansion. Mr, T. C. List, in responding, said when he arrived in New Plymouth about 12 years ago he believed the town some day would become the fifth town of New Zealand. He was more satisfied now than ever that the, town would achieve that distinjtion. New Plymouth had advantages which few towns enjoyed. Ha believed that at the outbreak of the war, New Plymouth was on the verge of a hcom, not that he thought booms were desirable, steady progress being better. This had been the case. The town had progressed steadily, and local business men would tell them that business with them had necer been better than during the last year or two. He held that this progress must continue, provided the people retained their confidence in the town and its future, and bestirred themselves. It was not so long ago that New Plymouth was regarded outside as a "sleepy hollow." This opinion, happily, had changed, and in this direction the Tourist and Expansion League had done good service. By means of various advertising campaigns, the advantages and assets of the town had been widely made known, The League now felt it was not much use advertising further, simply because the town had not sufficient accommodation for visitors. Mr. Haydeu had mentioned that the Ngamotu Company had 10 times more applicants than there were cottages available. That was a!so true in regard to the town. Hundreds were being turned away at holiday seasons. The town .would have to seriously consider providing accommodation. The speaker then referred to the various material factors in the town's pi ogress. There was the freezing works, iron works, harbor, etc., and also the two high schools, which were a great asset to the town.

Mr. R. Cock proposed "Parliament," and Messrs. H J. H. Okey and W. T. Jennings, M.P.'s, resuonded'. I Speaking with regard to the railway tesorve running parallel with the foreshore, Mr. Okey said he had endeavored to got the Department to hand it over to the people of New Plymouth, hut had been told that it was wanted for railway extension purposes. However, the Minister had arranged to inspect the property next time he was in New Plymouth.

Air. Jennings expressed appreciation of the great advance that had been made in New Plymouth, and referred particularly to the development of the seaside resorts.

During the evening, Messrs. N. Day and A. B. Macdonakf entertained the company with vocal items.

The toasts, "The Press" and "The Ladies," were honored, and a,most enjoyable evening concluded with votes of thanks to the Ngamotu Company, the' chair, and the singing of '\\uld Lan" Syne" and the National Anthem.