ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1920, Page 6

ELTHAM.

PROGRESS COMMITTEE. (From Our Own Correspondent,) The report of the E}tham Progress j Committee states: The inauguration of j the Eltham. Progress Committee took place in October, 1919, and was the outcome of a generally depressed state of things existent in the town at that | time. It was felt that notwithstaud- ! ing the difficulties, it was possible to ! create a general optimistic and pro- j grcssive spirit. The committee was set j up, and arranged a programme consisting of newspaper advertisements boosting Elthani and strongly advocating loyalty to the town and district; erection of hoardings in the neighboring districts drawing special attention to Elthani as a business centre; and arranging a series of free matinees for the children. This programme has been carried out. Whether it he due or partly due to the influence of the Progress Committee, there is a much brighter spirit prevailing in Eltham at the. present time than there was twelve months ago. The committee has been loyally supported by the townspeople with regard to funds. A collection was mada towards the- expenses of the committee. As an indication that Eltham is progressing, returns have been obtained from tlie railway station, and almost without exception each month lias shown an increase on the same month for the previous year on the inward traffic. It would not be fair to compare the returns of the first month with those of the same month for last year, owing to the reduced service at that time, but, taking the whole year into consideration, we find increases in outward traffic from Eltham station. We have also obtained returns from various businesses in Eltham, all of which have shown a decided increase in the amount of business transacted. One firm, whose business has been continually growing during the whole year, gave the returns for September, 1910, at £3OOO, and for the same month this year £BOOO, or an increase of 100 per cent, the staff being increased accordingly. Another firm, whoso turnover for twelve months was £13,000, have so increased their business that they actually did more, business in the last six months than in the previous twelve months. Other instances might he given, but these will suffice to show that good progress is being made in the town. Eltham is beginning- to wake up. and is full of opportunities for enterprising men. There is plenty of work for the Progress Committee to do, but it must have the support of the town behind it. You will be nsked to elect fresh officers for the. ensuing year, but no matter how good the officers you elect may he, without your co-operation their efforts will he of little avail. The position of the Progress Committee, and its relation to the Chamber of Commerce is at present rather vague, and should be clearly defined. It is proposed to continue the Saturday afternoon free matinees for children, to arrange meetings of business men in the town, to take the form of socitil evenings at frequent intervals, put another series of advertisements through (he local paper, and suggestions are invited in any direction for the purpose of adding to the geneva! prosperity of the town."