ADVANCING NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1919, Page 7

ADVANCING NEW PLYMOUTH.

EXPANSION AND TOURIST LEAGUE. The executive of the New Plymouth Expansion and Tourist League met on Tuesday evening, there being present: Messrs T. C. List c(lmirmuii), A. Mellardy, S. Smith, M.P., R. H. Bartley, R. A. Large, J. Morey and Dr. Leatham. Mr. Will Lawson wrote stating that he was preparing a series of tourist booklets of New Zealand provinces, and desiring information regarding Taranaki local bodies, preparatory to placing a scheme before the league.—lnformation to be supplied. Mr. W. B. Carr, Koru, asked the League's co-operation re forming the upper portion of the Plymouth road and blinding the metal on the Upper Carrington road. He stated there was a magnificent view of the coast line, etc., to be obtained from near the Kiri Btream and when the roads were improved the route, some 28 or 30 miles, would prove one of the most interesting in the country. Mr. Smith said he understood there were some unexpended Government grants for these localities, and he would like the matter looked into, especially in view of the assurance of the Minister for Public Works that if the grants were insufficient they would be increased.

The chairman and Messrs Smith and Morey were appointed a committee to go into the question, and take whatever action they consider advisable. Mr. F. T. Bellringer, hon. secretary of the Peace Celebrations Committee, wrote asking the League to appoint a representative to the committee. —Mr. A. McHardy was appointed. A letter from Mr. J. W. Martin, of Pukearuhe, was read extolling the work of the League and expressing the hope that it would conlinue its good work. He remarked: "It is all claptTap to say there is' ample housing accommodation in New Plymouth to meet requirements, even in semi-normal times. My experience proves otherwise. A building built and run on the lines of the Hotel Braeburn at Wanganui would amply repay the cost, individually or collectively. It is merely a matter for somebody to lash out and foot the undertaking." It was decided to thank Mr. Martin for his appreciative references and his suggestions. The question of putting the finances on an assured basis was considered at length. It was decided that a committee be set np to canvass the town for membership subscriptions, the committee consisting of Messrs S. Smith, M.P., R. A. Large and W. B. Davies (the latter being elected a member of the executive). The chairman and Messrs M'Hardy and Cruickshank were appointed a finance committee to see in what other directions the League's finances can be put on an assured basis. The secretary reported that over £4O had already been voluntarily promised towards the League's funds. The hoye was expressed that the sum of £3OO would be raised, so that a vigorous advertising campaign could bo undertaken for next season. Dr. Leatham said he was certain many people in the south, ordered north to spend their declining years, would come to New Plymouth, which had advantages no other place in the Dominion possessed, were the facts brought properly before them. Reference was made to the good publicity work done by the League in the first few years of its existence. It was decided to set up an advertising committee as follows: The chairman, and Messrs. J. M'Leod, J. R. Cruickshank and R. H. Bartley. The secretary reported he had received an application from the proprietor of Cargen, Auckland, for a set of views of New Plymouth and district.—lt was decided to get out another series and forward a set to Cargen. Mention was made of the promise made by the late Dr. M'Nab, Minister for Tourist Resorts, to subsidise the League's office, and the secretary was authorised to write the present Minister on the subject. Mr. Smith undertook to represent the League's views to the Minister and support the application. The chairman said he wished to retire from his position, which he had held for six years. The future of the League was now assured, for the public would not now let drop an institution that had done good work in the past and was capable of doing much better in the future. He believed that the position of chairman should be a rolling one, and not monopolised by one man. Dr. Leatham and others expressed the hope that Mr. List would at least continue in office for the present year, which was a critical one in the League's affairs, being fraught with great possibilities and benefit to town and district. They paid a tribute to the chairman's past work and that of Mr. M'Hardy and Mr. Collis, who, they said, | were largely responsible for holding the League's together, during the war period. Mr. List acceded to the meeting's wish, hoping that later on he would he relieved of the position, and expressing the .conviction, that the League could,, if : properly supported, do a great deal in : assisting the development of the town and district, making special reference to .the need for the League interesting . itself in such provincial- and national works' as the completion'of the Strat-fdrd-Ohakakura railway, the main road from Waitara to Te Kuiti and the- extension of electricity to all parts of the : province."