PUKEKURA PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 7 March 1912, Page 7

PUKEKURA PARK.

A HANDSOME DONATION. The funds of the Pukekura Park have received-a substantial' addition in the shape of a donation of £25 from the Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C. In a letter accompanying the gift, Mr. Samuel states: "I congratulate the Board on the result of its special appeal to the public for contributions, and enclose my cheque for £25. I notice that members have expressed the fear that lack of funds may compel them to resign, and that it has been suggested that the control should be given to the Borough Council, because the donations from the public, aided by a grant out of the borough rates, are insufficient. It has been said 'that if the result of last Saturday's collection should not have turned out satisfactorily it would have indicated a desire on the part of the public that the Board should relinquish the management, but I venture to protest against the notion that small contributions from the public indicate any want of confidence in the Board. I am sure that nowhere is there any community more liberal in proportion to its means than here, but we are few in number, and probably none would be considered wealthy if residing in a large town. All are beset constantly with subscription lists for more or less worthy objects, and no one can be expected to—or should—subscribe unless out of whatever surplus he may have after paying debts, providing for present and future necessities, assisting to relieve those in dire poverty and distress, and .giving a helping hand where possible, at any rate to relatives and friends. If the little left be given away promiscuously to all those who clamor for subscriptions, or, worse still, if tho most persistent and accomplished "beggars" succeed, irrespective of the merits of the objects which they plead for, we must be reconciled to seeing some of the good works we most sympathise with languish and die for want of funds. It is inconceivable to me that anyone who is interested in Pukekura Park should desire to commit its care to a borough council. An elected body has necessarily no continuity mayors and councillors come and go each year or so, and it is difficult very often to get anyone to take office; they certainly have no special qualifications for managing recreation grounds, and have quite as much as (if not more than) they can do efficiently in attending to their proper and necessary duties. Whether they know anything of or care anything for recreation grounds and natural beauty is a matter of sheer chance, and cannot well be in their own contemplation when they consent to become councillors or in that of the ' ratepayers when they elect them. Be-1 sides, no one cares to subscribe or give donations to any work done by a rating body; people (.rightly or wrongly) invariably consider their- rates too high and badly expended, and will not believe that any donations will-lessen them. I have no doubt that private donations would disappear if the Borough Council took charge, and that the fruits of the long 'and efficient management of the boards would soon be lost. For many years I have, in common with all New Plymouth folk, profited by the exertions and self-sacrifice of those who have held office as members of your board, and I am sure that Mr. W. W. Smith in particular can rest assured that the public appreciates the good work he has done land is doing in maintaining and increasing the natural beauties (I care nothing for the buildings) of our lovely Park."