EXPANSION AND TOURIST LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1918, Page 8

EXPANSION AND TOURIST LEAGUE.

SBffCW IT BE CONTINUED! The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Expansion ano. Tourist League was held last evening, there being piesent only member* cf tc« executive and two of the public. Mr. T. C, List (chairman) presided. The annual balance-sheet showed subscriptions tci have iheen £72 las Id and subsidy from the Mountain House Committee £l3, making a total revenue oi £SS 15s Id. The expenditure was:— Secretary's tsaiary, rent, telephone, postages, £7B 13s sd; advertising, £5 9s 6d; banlt charge, 10a; credit balance, £1 2s 2d. In moving the adoption of the balancesheet, the chairman expressed regret that there was such a small attendance, which indicated either that the people were satisfied with the work of the executive or were quite apathetic. He was inclined to the latter opinion. This was a pity, for the .league was filling a real need in the town, as was shown by the fact that in the summer months alone the secretary attended to between 450 and 500 inquiries. The league had pursued in the past year its policy of "carrying on," keeping the office open with the secretary in charge and not indulging in any outside publicity work. It would he for the meeting to decide as to whether the\ league should continue or whether « would not he tetter to ceasß operations altogether.Mr. J. S. S. Medley said as one who had not associated himself very much with the league in the past, he would regard it as a mistake to close up. The present were exceptional times, when people had their minds filled with other , thoughts, whilst that night there were several other meetings on. He suggested they should adjourn the meeting until a more favorable date. Mr. J. C. Morey concurred. He believed the league was doing very good work for the town—work of which the majority were not cognisant. At the same time, he did not think it right that hut a handful of people should carry on a public work of such importance for the benefit of the whole town. Dr. Leatham lamented the lack of interest displayed hy the public. v It was not right tliat a few should subscribe all the money whilst those who benefited most did not put their hands in their pockets to assist. He felt that it would he best to close down, much as he would regret such a course. He was one of the promoters of the league, which had fulfilled all expectations by making known the resources and attractions of the town outside and instilling confidence .and faith in the town. It was capable of rendering even greater service in the future, provided it was given the necessary financial support that seemed now to he so conspicuously lacking. Mr. S. W. Shaw endorsed these views, and suggested that they forthwith close down the league. Only a handful of people took any interest in its work, notwithstanding the value of that work to the town. Messrs S.Teedjy'ackson, A. McHardy, and J. E. Cruickshank spoke to a like effect, and eventually, on the motion of Mr. J. C. Morey, it was decided to postpone the meeting until a date a month hence, Mr. Shaw giving notice of motion that, unless the public take a greater intsrest in the league, it he immediately disbanded. The chairman, pointed wit that the Mountain House CommiOtco was now subsidising the league to the extent of £2O per annum, and that the Jockey Club had generously increased its donation from £lO 10s to £ls 15s. Whilst his inclination was to terminate the organisation, for those who benefited directly ga\-e little or no support, he felt it would b'e a mistake, for the office and secretary were now a necessary adjunct of the town, being made use of by the outside public to a larger extent than townspeople realised. He felt tliev should, if at all possible, carry on till after the war. At the same time, he acknowledged it was unfair to expect the few public-spirited citizens who had been giving substantial subscriptions to continue whilst so many gave nothing whatever. , : '<- J