SPORTS GROUND COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 309, 28 December 1908, Page 4

SPORTS GROUND COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING. At tiie animal meeting of the New Plymouth Recreation Sports Ground Committee Mr. A. Humphries (chairman) presided, and there were also present:—Messrs. Ci. CrilliUis, Tribe, George, 'Slueker, Pol-ham, ijubbs and Clarke (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. Ford and Southam.

The secretary read the baalnce-sheet for the past year. The chief items of revenue were:—Donations £44 19s Oil, entertainments £l9l, ground receipts £250; the total income for the twelve months .being £5lB 14s. On the expenditure side the principal items were: Wages £209, materials, cartage and purchase of soil from Longburn £145, repayment to Rugby Union £25, installation of electric light for baud contest £ll. The total expenditure amounted to £533 7s Bd, leaving a bank balance of £22 17s Id, but against this there are outstanding accounts to the sum of £BO.

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, said the improvements that had bee", carried out on the grounds during the period covered by the nna-aeial statement were considenble—altogether a sum of about £SOO had been spent in this direction. Most of the improvements had been on the west side, where the terraces were now complete, adding greatly to the splendid appearance of the grounds. The approaches to the terraces had also been formed, making access easy. Another improvement which would be of considerable advantage in the future was the installation of the electric light. This -would bring a big revenue to the committee, and he thought that at the close of the entertainment which wis to take place on Wednesday evening next it would be proved conelusivjly that it would be worth while to run shows at night outside. The revenue from the grounds during the last year amounted to £250; and he would point out that they could not expect to reserve anything like the amount this year. The year just closed bad been an exceptional one. They had had the band contest and also the big English football match. The fact that the entertainments held during the year brought in an income of £l9O, as shown by the balance-sheet, .showed clear'y that the committee had worked hard to achieve success. For the future he did nut think they could go on with many more improvements. The grounds were now in a very good state »and would, he thought, carry on for twelve months, at any rate. Then the committee might be in a position to consider wliat furthet improvements should be effected. There' was the question -ii providing a pavilion, which would have to e gone ito in committee, and htmight meution that Dr. Lcathain had spoken to him on this matter and said directly the committee decided to do anything in the matter they were to go to him. He had no doubt Dr. Leatham .vould give them "a handsome donation

towards the funds. So far as the revenue from the grounds for the coming year was eorcerned, he did not think the committee could looit forward to more tha7i £l5O lit t!w very outside, but he would recommend the running of an en-

teitainment in February or early in March, the proceeds of which would recoup the committee somewhat. He emphasised the fact that the committee owed £OO, which they were anxious to wipe oil', and further they had one iir two big bills to meet in addition during the coming year. He congratulated the committee on the work that bad been accomplished and the great amount of time they had devoted to the welfare of the grounds, mentioning I hat they hail hold regular fortnightly meetings throughout the year. He also lefonoc: to the gieat amount of interest that had "'.en taken in the grounds by local cricbeters, who lu"d collected about £3O to assist the committee in keepirf the ground man permanently engaged during the summer months. Mr. Stockev seconded the motion, which was carried.

The following ollicers were elected for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr. A. L. Humphries; secretary, Mr. das. Clarke; treasurer, Mr. Geo. Griffiths; auditor, Mr. N. Bewicy. It was decided to open a special fund for the erection of a pavilion. The. Taraiv.ki Cricket Association was granted the use of the grounds for Friday, Satui'dav, and Monday, during the Easter holir'-iv-. for the nprcsentative match with Auckland. The secretary was voted a bonus of £l2 12s. Votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs. Gilinour and Clarke for the use of the room in which to hold meetings and to all w'"o had assisted in any way with the work ot the committee.