TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1919, Page 2

TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League was held on Friday evening, Mr.T.C.List (chairman) presiding over a small but representative attendance. The balance-sheet showed receipts to have been £BO, subscriptions accounting for £6B, and subsidy from National Park Board £l3. The expenditure consisted of: Kent £SO, advertising, printing and stationery £7 4s 6d, telephone, p&stage, etc., £4 ss, leaving a credit balance of £l2 12s Bd. The treasurer (Mr. A. McHarUy) stated that since the financial year had closed the Government's subsidy of £SO had come to hand, making the balance in hand £62 12s Bd. The annual report stated that during the year the work of the office had been about the average, the enquiries having been quite up to previous years. An outstanding feature had been the recognition by the Government of the useful work of the League by granting a subsidy of £SO, and the hope was expressed that this would be an annual grant.. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, stated that the League's bureau was being largely availed of by visitors, there being between 400 and 500 callers and enquirers, so they could see the bureau was filling a real need in the town. No money had been spent this year on advertising matter, but the stock of booklets and folders containing information about the town and district was now exhausted, and a new folder was being prepared. They were "up against" the old problem of lack of accommodation. If the latter were available the League could easily bring in another 1000 people in the summer time. Suggestions had been made by Messrs. A. E. Sykes and R. Day in regard to providing temporary accommodation, and they would no doubt receive consideration by the new executive. There was no doubt, however, that they wanted further permanent accommodation. He was afraid private enter- j prise would not supply it, as a seaside hostelry, which was what was wanted, was not likely to give a very substantial direct return, but the indirect returns would be of considerable benefit to the community. The point was, should the providing of such a place not be the concern of the Borough Council? j Mr. W. B. Davies, in seconding, referred to the difficulty he had met with in obtaining subscriptions, remarking that the very people who benefited directly by the League's operations refused to subscribe. This was disheartening, and he really thought that if townspeople did not appreciate the work the League was doing, and show their appreciation in a tangible manner, they should shut down altogether.

Mr. C. E. Baker spoke in complimentary terms of the work of the League, and said that a subscription towards its funds should not be regarded as a donation, but as a very profitable investment.

Mr. S. Teed said there was in town a greater shortage of accommodation than ever, and a disinclination on the part of those in the boarding business to extend their operations. Mr. A. E. Sykes mentioned that he had been deputed by the Borough Council to formulate a scheme for providing temporary accommodation for borough workmen. The difficulty was in finding a suitable site, but he expected this would be got over. He referred to the canvas city in California, and stated that something on these lines would fill the bill in New Plymouth. It was a matter for a private company, and he had not any doubt but that, when properly ex* plained and put to townspeople, that the necessary capital would be found. The ideal site was between Kawaroa Park and Ngamotu beach, if they could get it.

Mr. W. A. Collis said that in his capacity of chairman of the Borough Re-1 serves Committee, he had received a letter from the Prime Minister, stating that j he was going at once into the question I with the Railway Manager of transfer of this land from the Department to the Borough Council. I Mr Newton King explained that until the site of the Moturoa-Opunake line was fixed, there was little likelihood of the Railway Department agreeing to lease or transfer the foreshore land in this vicinity. After further discussion the motion for the adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was adopted. The election of the committee resulted as follows:—Messrs T. C. List, W H. Skinner, A. E. Sykes, R. Day, J. R Cruiekshank, A. McHardy, R. A. Large, S Teed, W. B. Davies, S. W. Shaw, Jas. Clarke, C. H. Burgess, J. W. H. Martin, S. G. Smith, M.P., and Dr. Leatham Mr. Newton King suggested that the League (whose past work he warmly eulogised) should call a general meeting of the public as soon as possible in order to discuss their future policy. They were entering upon a new era, and it was desirable that townspeople should get together and promulgate proposals to make the best use of their opportunities. There was nothing like having an enthusiastic start off, and if each one present resolved to secure the attendance of six others they would be sure of a large meeting. One had to travel to appreciate how richly endowed New Plymouth was. Why, if America had a quarter of its scenic and other resources it would be the leading show place of America. Mr. Sykes: Without a doubt.

Mr. King went on to say that they should all do their bit towards making the town what it should be. At present the inadequate accommodation was a block, but they must devise means of getting over it, if at all possible. Mr. W. H. Skinner agreed with Mr. King's observations. He had no hesitation in saying that for variety of attractions and diversity of scenic beauty New Plymouth was absolutely unique. It was just about 28 years ago that they started the Scenery Preservation Society that had by its work secured for posterity such assets as the Egmont National Park and the many scenic reserves that abounded in and about the town. At that time there was 1 a difference of opinion in the Society as to the policy they should pursue, but the speaker always advocated and worked for securing the reservations. (Hear, hear), The result was to-day they had these invaluable assets, making possible the work the Tourist: League was doing to-day. Indeed, the League was the natural successor of the Society, and reaping the crop for the town that had been sown so many years ago. Mr. King's suggestion was adopted, and it was decided to hold the public vwthw next Friday evening, a cwa-

mittee consisting of the chairman, Messrs. SykSs, Skinner, Day, McHardy, and tho secretary being set up to formulate proposals to put before the meeting.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. T. C. List was re-elected chairman for the seventh year.