PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 98, 11 September 1912, Page 8

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

monthly meeting.

The, monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the Council Chambers last evening, when there were present: Messrs C. W, (Jovetfc (in the chair), 0. W. Browne, F. P. Cork ill, H. 11. Ford, W. L. Newman, R. C. Hughes and C. It. Drew (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs S. Percy Smith and W. Alll- -

Mr. W. W. Smith, curator to the| Board, submitted the following report:— "I am pleased to be able to report that' tlie last month has been the most favorable since March for making progress with the work in the Park. The mowing of the rough grass and grubbing of ■ the gorse on the hills and in the valleys' have now been completed. Half a day' will finish the work of burning the rubbish, when the Park should be comparatively free from the danger of fire during the approaching summer. Since completing the mowing and grubbing, the work has been chiefly that of planting and general cleaning. The rose bed is now fully planted, and the terrace around it has been sown in lawn grass, which is germinating perfectly. Some valuable donations have been received at the Park on behalf of the Board during the month. From Mrs. Brasch, of Batanui, I received a collection of primulas and polyanthus; from Mr. John Wheeler, of Inglewood, a collection of native plants, also three seven-foot standard weeping ash trees. The same gentleman has also deposited a fine peacock in the Park. Mr. Sand ford presented a collection of native plants and one hundred plant labels. A private gentleman presented five dozen rose plants; Mr. Venton, of Moturoa, sent half-a-dozen roses and the Morshead Nursery Co. two dozen, all for the new enlarged rose-bed. Mr. Mace sent one dozen mixed plants, and Mr. Layard, of Pungarehu, forwarded free a large collection of mixed plants. An anonymous donor also presented a collection of fine young native plants. All the nativo and mixed plants have been planted in suitable places, and should do well after the present seasonable weather. I would like to remark that these donations all form valuable and acceptable additions to the Park. I again regret to report that the Park is not yet free from the visits of flower stealers and dogs. Both have been more or less a nuisance during the pat month." It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write thanking the donors of plants. A letter was read from Mrs. A. Cory, in which she thanked the Board for the erection of the new fireplace in the tearooms, and stated that she already found it a great improvement. She would like to get the Board's permission, to have a visitor's book kept at the tea rooms. She would also like the interior of the tea-rooms painted, at her own expense. —It was decided to procure a visitors' book, to be kept at the tearooms, and that the Board gladly consents to Mrs. Cory having the interior of the tea-rooms painted if she cared to do so.

Mr. Tamiti Whanganui, on behalf of the Taihauru Sports Committee, of Bell Block, wrote stating that it was the intention of his committee to hold a sports gathering in the Recreation Grounds on December 19 next, and that they wished to have a canoe race on the lake. They had already obtained the permission -of the Sports Committee to hold their sports on the football ground, and now awaited the sanction of the Park Board to hold the canoe race on the lake, and his committee asked for an early reply, in order to get the canoes ready.—lt was resolved that the Board grant permission to hold a canoe race on the lake, subject to the following conditions:—That a charge of 20 pet cent, of the gross amount of the gate money be made for the use of the Sports Ground and the lake, and that the Maori Sports Committee be distinctly informed that in no case will anyone ■be allowed to land on the islands on the lake. The Board appointed Messrs. C. W. Govett and W. L. Newman to act as a sub-committee for the purpose of dividing the 20 per cent, fees equally between the Sports Committee and the Pukekura Park Board.

After considerable discussion, Mr. Hughes' motion, ''That members who were in arrears on September 1 be asked for the subscriptions," was adjourned to next meeting.