CHRISTMAS VISITORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1919, Page 4

CHRISTMAS VISITORS.

QUESTION OF ACCOMMODATION NOVEL SCHEME SUGGESTED. At last night's meeting of the Nga« motu Seaside Committee, Mr. Reginald Day attended and outlined a scheme by means of which he considered the shortage of accommodation for visitor* could be overcome with a moderate expenditure, and prospects for ft good financial return. Mr. Day's scheme provides for advertising the attractions of New Plymouth and then erecting some accommodation, on the commercial system, to provide for those who would be anxious to take advantage of the scheme. He proposed offering to provide a weeks holiday in town for £2 10s, or two weeks' for £5, with an extra £1 for any who desired to make a trip to Mt. Egmont. A building would have to be provided, in which one wing would be for men and one for women, with a common dining room, and a kitchen to serve the same. Thoso taking the Mi* day in this way would bo expeoted U do the work of the place very largely themselves, in the matter of waiting at tables, washing up, making bed* (or bunks), and keeping the premise* Udy. On arrival at the railway station or the wharf, Mr. Day suggested each vlsftor should be presented with a book of coupons entitling him or her to the accommodation offered, including meal* ■ and bed, picture or other entertainments', motor trips to the scenic resorts in clobb proximity to the town, tram rides, etc. It would be an advantage, he said, if the booklet also contained a map of the borough, a tram time-table, and general information about the places of interest to visitors. The initial cost of the accommodation (which should not be elaborate), and the cost of the coupon books would be the chief expenses, out these he thought should be forthcoming from the townspeople, who would reap the benefit of a large number of visitors coming here for the holiday season. He suggested accommodation for about 300 people. The advantages would be reaped by the business people, a3 in all probability each visitor would spend a pound or two, especially if the actual cost of the holiday was moderate. There was also the fact that each visitor would be an advertiser for New Plymouth, and while the number that might take advantage of the scheme the first ycftr«m!jrnt not be large, it was certain that, if well carried out, it would develop into a good thing. He suggested that the coupon system might even be extended, and they be made available for purchases In shops where business people were prepared to accept them, and make a eoncession to the committee who undertook the scheme. Mr. Hayden thanked Mr. Day for bringing the matter before the committee, and said he was to be commended for his attempt to do something towards solving the difficulty of accommodating holiday visitors. Be felt satisfied the scheme was a good One, but it should be worked on a commercial basis, and not as a voluntary undertaking or as a philanthropic effort. Others of those present expressed appreciation of Mr. Day's efforts, and thought the scheme well within the range of practicability, and that, fbe townspeople onght to have no fear in launching out in such a direction. Mr. Day was accorded a vote of thanks for bringing the natter before the committee.