TARANAKI'S "BRIGHTON."

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 6

TARANAKI'S "BRIGHTON."

(To the Editor.) Sir,—As a native of New Plymouth, I wish to compliment Mr. A. E. Sykes for his attempt to shake the inhabitants up to the importance of the assets they have. There is not the slightest doubt that many countries having the. basis 'New Plymouth lias, would make the utE.ost use of it, and people ought to recognise that it is only by their own efforts can improvements be brought about, and when these improvement must result in better trade, leaving out the permanent good the attractiveness brings, it seems queer that those interested in the welfare of their own town have to he stirred to action. I hope Mr. Sykes, and those interested, will persevere. With regard to the section near the railway station, no doubt planting it would be an attraction, but I imagine a better use of it would be to erect a memorial that would bo perpetual and useful' to the memory of the dead soldiers, and if it took the form of an up-to-date Opera House there < would be both items dealt with in one hit. Lay out the surroundings by all means! This is a matter in which everyone in New Plymouth, old and young, should interest themselves, and money has been gathered for many a leas worthy object I notice it is proposed by the Government to devote £IOO,OOO for a memorial to the fallen, and to my idea It is not right that such should be placed ,ih one centre. The amount, divided up to subsidise the.efforts of the people in the direction of memorials would be a better way of expending the money, and, if adopted, the New Plymouth site, backed by the subscriptions of the people (individually and through their local bodies or combinations), and sub. sidised by the Government, should enable a splendid monument to the soldier dead to be erected. Such a memorial as I suggest would he useful for all time, and whether used for religious, musical, dramatic or any other purpose, the memory of the boys who died at duty's call would for all time be before the people. The subject is one which will bear considerable elaboration, but I hope I need not go further and that there are some in New Plymouth who will recognise the utility* of the suggestion and make a move to give effect to it. The sea front of New Plymouth is dostined to become the resort of thousands from the country, as the value of a period at the seaside is recognised—the more attractive, the more lasting the support. No one will deny, therefore, I trust, that the value of a marine parade, second to none south of the line, should also not be lost sight of, and I believe this has been mentioned in your columns years ago in regard to protecting Woolcombe Terrace from sea erosion. Has the idea died that natural death which past attempts to beautify New Plvmouth have met with?

Again, the value of Mr. Sykes' suggestion as to motor tracks comes in with regard to the lagoon at Ratapihipihi. What is the use of lauding up the splendid scenic places belonging to New Plymouth if means of quick transit are not. The motor track to the Mountain House is responsible for the increasing use of that place. Trusting other New Plymouth boys will see some way of keeping Mr. Sykes' suggestions "a-jigging."—l am, etc., JOE B. SIMPSON, Durham Road, Oct. 4, 1919.