PUKEKURA PARK BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 278, 21 May 1912, Page 8

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD

ANluAi, MEETING. ! The weather militated against the at- ) tendance at the annual meeting of the ! Pukekura Park Board last night, in the Mayor's room, only eight members being present. Mr. Harris Ford was in the chair. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Various matters of importance were touched upon by the chairman (Mr. Ford) in his annual review of the operations of the Board. In congratulating the Board upon its improved financial position, he remarked that it was wholly dvic to the splendid response by the public to its appeal in the shape of a Saturday collection, which realised £IG4 15s 6d. As a result a debit at the bank of £l2l on April 1, 1811, had been converted into a credit of ,-£34, at the end of twelve months, a marked contrast to the state of affairs which had prevailed for many years past. It was intended i to carry out during the present winter J a number of long contemplated improvej ments, including the laying out of a wider and better path (with suitable gates) from the Vogeltown entrance, with the -financial assistance of Vogeltown residents, a general repairing of the works all through the Park, and the construction of a lawn or shrubbery on the site of the disused fish-rear-ing ponds. The reclaimed swamp near the tea r rooms would be converted into -flower beds and a rosery, the plants for the latter being donated by one of the local townsmen who had on several previous occasions similarly assisted the Board by valuable anonymous gifts. Attention had been recently drawn to the untidy and badly kept condition of the Sports Grounds, and it was to be hoped that the committee in whose charge it was would see that the whole area was thoroughly cleaned up at an early date. Concluding, Mr. Ford expressed his obligations to both the curator (Mr. Smith) and the hon. secretary (Mr. Tribe) for their valuable aid in carrying out the Board's work.

The report was adopted, and Mr. Ford was heartily thanked for his services. I CURATOR'S REPORTS. j In a resume of the work done during i the last twelve months, the curator (Mr. v W. W. Smith) noted that over twelve months had been devoted to the general cleaning and keeping in order of the more important and most frequented parts of the Park. In April and May nearly two month's were spent in mowing all the grass walks along the hillsides and around the valleys, and in weeding around the younger trees. The mildness of the previous winter and warmth of the summer following, with the plentiful and mild rains in the autumn, produced great growth of weeds, especially the native convolvulus. He had removed I the small bridges between the island and the walk around it, but their removal did not prevent some unscrupulous person or persons from getting on the island and removing the plants, and tak- : ing cuttings from the rarer shrubs. All the native trees and tree-ferns planted on the banks along the extension of the upper lake at the head of the Park were making rapid growth. The extension was now quite a picturesque feature of the Park when viewed from Totara Hill, overlooking it. During the year several ladies and gentlemen had generously donated plants and seeds and various sums of money, with which to purchase others for the Park. Mr. Smith also drew attention to the great growth of the general vegetation in the Park. The caretaker also spoke of the possibility of having the valuable flagstaff erected in the sports ground. At present it was decaying on the ground. Mr. Smith also submitted a report on the work done since the Board's official visit on March 10, in the course of which, he stated that a considerable quantity of trees had been cut down on the city lake, leaving quite an unsightly sight. A fine tree along the Wadestown walk had also been cut down. He wished to emphasise to the Board that this was quite unwarrantable. Should such work continue to be permitted it would soon reduce the park to a wilderness. The Board members were, he felt sure, aware that there were many public parks rising with the many young towns of the Dominion, all earnestly striving to outdo each other in attractiveness and beauty. Nothing, therefore, but continuous and extensive planting of the best trees and ferns would enable Pukekura Park to maintain its premier position and world-wide reputation as the most beautiful in Australasia. Should any future work be authorised by the Board he asked that he should be advised before it -was undertaken.

'Votes of thanks were accorded donors of money and kind, and to Mr. Saunders, of the Empire Picture Theatre, for giving a benefit entertainment in aid of the Board's funds. THE FTNANCES. The statement of finances disclosed that during the year donations had increased by £32, the receipts from the donation boxes in the Park being 16s, while the annual subscriptions had dropped by £7. At the present there was a credit balance of £3O lis 9d, which amount would be increased next month by £37, representing subsidy due from the Borough Council. In view of the small attendance, the meeting adjourned for a month.