INCREASED COST OF RESERVES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 138, 7 March 1921, Page 5

INCREASED COST OF RESERVES

CR. THOMPSON PRODUCES FIGURES At a meeting of the City Council over three weeks ago, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), in congratulating Councillor W. J. Thompson on his energy, capacity, and enthusiasm in. the matter of the city reserves and gardens, drew attention to the largely-increased amount of money .the Department was -wanting. At the meeting last week, Councillor Thompson (as chairman of the Reserves Committee) eaid that the Mayor had virtually accused, the committee of extravagance in expenditure. He wishtd. to eay that was not tho case. • , The expenditure op. reserves for 1919-20, ho explained, was £14,794 2s. lid., and the allocations for .the current year amounted to £15,000. During the ten months which had elapsed, £14,356 13s. had been spent, and it was estimated that the expenditure, up to March 31 would amount to £17,356 13s The committees estimates as supplied by the Director of Parks and Reserves ;at the beginning of the year were amount was reduced by £4oflo by the Finance Committee. Later on, however, an extra £lOOO was granted for forestry, malting the allocation lor the year £l5 000. To carry on, the committee was faced with the following necessary expenditure during the year:—

Increased wages as granted by tho council L«47 Expenditure, Karon Park . .......... 600 Resident custodian and altering dwellinghouse, Khandallah 600

Total During the past year the following spe. cial works had been authorised by the council and carried out by the committee:— „

Building of pavilion, Kilbirnie Reeesve Formation new golf links ••• Formation four now croquet courts Kelburn Park -•-•••• 600 Formation new green Mein t, croquet ground., also ?n6talled drainage •••; Renovation of house and pavibon, Basin Reserve

Total It had also been necessary to employ three extra men for the cricket, grounds during the summer, owing to the extraordinary deipand for prepared wickets. Last year an average of eight were prepared per week. 'This year there was an average of thirty. During the war years, the Town Belt had been, to a great extent, neglected. Tt was now the policy of the Reserves Committee, as the leases fell due, to take over the sections, clear off the gorse and re-fence. This had resulted in a much higher rent, being received. The committee was positive that only by this method would the belt be cleared and made fit for planting. In 1914-15 the allegation for forestry on the belt was 4)4477. This year it was AllOtX). This addilional expenditure in clearing the belt was justified by the improved appearance and increase in revenue. Tn 1919 .£1686 was received, in 1926 -£2306 was received, end for 1921 .£2700 was the estimated rereniKH.