NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1922, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH.

A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. GREAT FUTURE PREDICTED. “I came to New Plymouth to spend a week’s holiday, and I have already been here three weeks. Surely that is sufficient evidence/ of what I think of your town.” Thus spoke, Dr. J. R. Purdy, of Lower Hutt, yesterday to a Daily News’ representative when invited to give his impressions of the town and its surroundings., ‘‘lt is the most progressive place in New Zealand I have seen so far, and I have nothing but praise for it. There are so many points of interest close at hand,” he continued. “The view from Marsland Hill, for instance, is magnificent, but I think the wonderful panoramic view to be obtained from Western Park is even finer. But it is Pukekura. Park that attracts me. I could spend hours there amid the beautiful native bush and ferns, for there is no place that could possibly touch it for native beauty. And then there’s the sports ground, a fine amphi-theatre. Nowhere else is there such a fine ground, especially from the spectator’s point of view.” One thing that struck the doctor as being out of keeping with the general surroundings at the park was the red and white color of the Poet’s Bridge. This, he said, was the first thing that attracted the eye when entering the park proper, whereas it should be the la*st. “It shouldn’t be picked out in bright colors at all.” he said; “it should be painted a dark green to harmonise with its suroundings.” MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE. The climate of New Plymouth impressed Dr. Purdy. “T had been advised to come to your town sometime during January. February or March,” he said, “and I got the idea that New Plymouth was only a summer resort. But I come here in the middle of winter and find you are experiencing perfect weather. The very fact that bowls are still being played shows what a fine climate you have. Nowhere else in New Zealand could bowls be played in mid-winter. “Above all,” continued the doctor,” your municipal enterprise impresses me. T shall certainly advise the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. Strand) when I return to come to New Plymouth to see how things are done here. The very fact that you have your own electricity and trams shows how progressive the town is. The trams, T may say. are the finest I have been in. and are admirably run. You are treated with civility and the men are most obliging in all possible ways. Then the trams run so noiselessly. The cleanliness of the town. too. impresses the visitor. The roads in this district are. of course, well known, and IT need not emphasise their excellence. [With such roads there can be no dust ! nuisance.” The doctor had visited the golf links, where he considered were the makings of what would ultimately be the finest links in New Zealand.. Their situation, the general conformation of the country and the room for expansion were splendid assets. At the public library the doctor found much to interest and surprise him.

The main street. Devon Street, was favorably commented upon by Dr. Purdy. The view from the post office showed that thc;,town was generally busy, and did not seem to be affected by the slump as other towns had been. The street was rather narrow, he thought, and, because of this, he suggested that the huge obstructions of verandah posts should be removed and hanging verandahs substituted. “This would improve the appearance of your main street wonderfully,’” he said. “VERY BIG FUTURE.” “Yes, New Plymouth lias a very big future in front of it,” he continued. “You have unlimited back country and a fine port. Once the railway service is speeded up you will go ahead by leaps and bounds. With direct steamers coming there’s no knowing what the future holds -for you. Why, you're eight hours nearer Sydney than any other possible port ’in New Zealand. Even two hours would make a difference, but in these days eight hours is a consideraljle advantage and means a whole day saved on three trips. Once you get the StratfordMain Trunk railway through, then all places from Te Kuiti and Taumarunui in the north to Palmerston North in the south will naturaly converge to New Plymouth and do their trade through your port.” The doctor expressed the wish that the direct passenger excursion service arranged for March next would prove the forerunner of a regular service between New Plymouth and Sydney. Dr. Purdy had a word to say for the products of Taranaki, which would be a big factor in stimulating direct trade. “I have never tasted better cheese than I got in Taranaki,” he added. “The general impression T have of your town.” said the doctor in concluding. “is that the people responsible for its growth had vision. They have not done their work in a hand-to-mouth fashion, but have prepared for future development. You have great natural advantages and these have been improved upon by citizens who have evidently had a whole-hearted love for their town. Tl.ie amount of work that has been done by voluntary labor is surprising. Take Kawaroa Park, for instance. The enterprise shown there is wonderful. Where else could you take such a delightful walk as through the park and down along the beach to the breakwater?” “Yes,” T have nothing but praise for this beautiful town of yours, and I’m going to come back again soon.”