TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1918, Page 6

TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE.

TIIE BAND TO THE RESCUE. Sir I'\ W. McLeod, conductor of the New Plymouth Citizens' Band, has written to the Tourist and Expansion League as follows: I think most people will regret (or should, at any rate) to learn on reading the newspaper reports of the meeting of the league held this week, that there are indications of the disbandnient of this body, owing to the apparent lack of interest by the general public in their work. Personally, I think it would be a thousand pities if this state of affairs should come about, as most people must realise that the tourist traffic in normal times is a valuable asset to any community with the natural attractions oi New Plymouth. In Australia, tourist offices are dotted throughout the States, and are conducted by the Governments concerned, and attached to some other Government Department, if the town is a small one, so that over there they seemingly admit the importance of the tourist traffic.

Seeing that we are without these facilities, it appears to me that the services of j'our committee are very necessary, and I feel sure most business people ami all who have the advancement of the town at heart, will regret if you definitely decide upon disbandnient. This I personally would look upon as a retrograde step, and, in order to prevent it, or help to, I will take it upon myself to promise that the New Plymouth Citizens' Band will assist in any movement having for its object the furtherance of tilip work of your committee. With this idea in new, I will undertake to give a recital in town, at any suggested place, the whole of the nett proceeds to go to your committee, the recital to be given whenever we can conveniently work it in with our extensive programme which is already outlined for this summer. At any rate, the recital will be given—rest assured of that —providing you do not disband. I sincerely trust that this offer on behalf of the Band Committee will serve as an inducement to others of our townspeople to take an interest in the work of the League, especially as it is a splendid advertisement for the town itself, and undoubtedly spells progress. Due notice will be given of our suggested recital.