BUSY YEAR AT TE MATA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 111, 27 May 1937, Page 7

BUSY YEAR AT TE MATA

Most Successful Since Board Was Forwed TREE-PLANTING, NEW TRACKS The past year had heen probahlv the most successful since the formation of the board 10 years ago, stated tho annual report of the Te Mata Park Trust Board, presented at the board' s quarterly meeting. Tree-planting, wHch was the most important of the board' s activities, had beep nearly doubled by the planting of over 6000 trees, making a total of over 12,000 utility and beautifying specimens. In spite of the dry autumn only 10 per'eent, of the trees planted during the season had been lost. The road, tracks and fencing had been maintained in good order during the year, and two new tracks had been formed. Maintenance costs in this respect were heavier than for the previous year, and a continuance of the present heavy charges was anticipated. Last July the Governor-General, Lord Galway, had visited the park, It was apparent from the number of visitors to the park that its value to the district, its beaiity, and the excellent view were being inereasingly appreciated. Th© past year, with its extensive planting and general activity, had made heavy demands on the board' s resources, the report added. Additions of £25 and £30 had been made, however, to the direetion-tablet and road-com-pletion funds, making the totals £57 16/4, and £132 6/8 respectively. Expenditure had excecded income by £28 8/3, but this amount was more than represented by assets, Mr F. E. iSmith had secured fencing materials material and timber at a reasonable cost, and finances would benefit by this purehase during the next finaucial year, The board had exercised the greatest care in the control of its revenue and expeuditure, in view of the increased costs of labour and material, but tho future was regin'ded with some coneern, In addition to heavier costs, - ag tho area planted increased the income from rent decreased, and during the past year an additional 25 acres had been planted, resulting in a corresponding decline in revenue. With additional planting the maintenance of fences becamo a heavier item of expense, and there were now several mileg of fences to be niaintaijjed. The increasing popularity of thn park had caused a greater measure of wear and tear. on the board's road, and charges for roqd maintenance had increased by 25 per cent. during the year. Tlms eaeh year of progress meant a reduction in tho amount available for future develupment work. "It is desired to express apprecia tion and tlianks," the report concluded, "to those loeal bodies and organisations wliich have contributed generously to the funds, to all who have supplmd matbriajs, to those who liave laboured with energy and enthusiasm in the board's interests, and to board

members." In particufar, thanks was exprcssed for the untiring interest and energy of Mr Smith, and to the seerelary, and to the Press for publisliing details of the board's activities.