"BOOSTING' MASTERTON

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10552, 7 February 1912, Page 6

"BOOSTING' MASTERTON

A TRAVELLER'S IMPRESSIONS. Mr A. Henderson, President of the Masterton Clhii.rn.ber of Commerce, who has just returned from a trip through the Rotorua aucl Auckland districts, is very much in:,pressed with the effective manner in which ihe various attractions of these districts are brought under the observation of the travelling public. The special features of all the beauty ypots and natural wonders are brought before the eye of the tourist by means of illustrated pamphlets land descriptions pleasingly got up, and arranged 111 such a U iiiuiei; as to compel attention. The traveller finds descriptive literature in every up-to-date hotel, artel even the walls of the bcdrcon:s are adorned with suggestions of "how and where to spend a pleasant day's outing." "In fact," said Mr Henderson to an Age representative yesterday, "the anethods adopted by our northern friends to 'bcc,lll' their attractions is, to say the least of it, decidedly enterprising." "All of this naturally makes me ask," said Mr Henderson, "what is being done to boom the attractions of Masterton. I Jmnted through a number of New Zealand guide books for enlightenment ,on the subject, i'lid the only thing that I could discover was a picture of Queen . Street taken about twenty years ago. An interestj ing relic no doubt from nn ancient' history point of view, but I. Cuii't think that it would be calc liai-ed to stimulate or inspire the average tourist \ with a desire for a closer inspection. Masterton • has moiv than its share cf~ natural seen _vy and attractions, which, if sufficiently "-boosted," would have the effect of •'inducing .tourists to visit uz. For instance, we have one of the most ' beautiful; parks, in the dominion ; a showground at Splway which is. delightful. to bedioki at' this season; Mount Koldsworth, providing ideal enjoyment for mountaineering enthu- j and a trip to the .seaside at Caist-lepoiut, which possesses a magnificent beach, an abundance of fish, j good bathing, and particularly fine i scenery. The accommodation, too, j at'this place is most excellent, and I the whole journey can be accomplished in a few short hours by motor from Masterton. The Rimiitaka incline _ would also attract more visi- : tors if its curious features were more prominently advertised. These are only a few of our attractions as they occur to ime. -But what is being done to bring them under, the notice of visitors? Nothing— dimply nothing. And then we hear some residents expressing. , wonder .. why the town does not receive its share of visitors. If the tourist is not aware of the existence of Masterton, how can he be expected to visit it? The Borough Council, I consider, should take this matter, of advertising and "boosting" .the town of Masterton in all seriousness. After all, it is only a business proposition, and the expenditure would be very, small in ' comparison -with the benefits received. 1 also intend to bring this matter before the next meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, as f am convinced that it is of the utmost importance to the progress and welfare of our town." I