PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 120, 8 October 1912, Page 8

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Last night's meeting of the Pukekura Park Board was attended by the chairman (Mr. C. W. Govett) and Messrs. C. H. Drew (secretary), S. Percy Smith, 11. 0. Ford, F. P. Corkill, W. Newman, R. Cock, F. Jackson, G. W. Browne and E. C. Hughes. At the last meeting of the Board the question was raised as to whether the borough subsidy to the Park would pass the Government Auditor. Since then the chairman had written to the" Hon. 0. Samuel acquainting him with the position, and he handed the meeting a lengthy reply received from that gentleman. In it he pointed out that as an alternative to a direct contribution to the general funds of the Board, the borough had power, under the Act, to expend any portion of the district fund in planting and tending trees, shrubs or other plant on any lands not belonging to private owners, or in any manner for encouraging such planting." As a result, however, of Mr. Samuel's intervention with the Audit Department in Wellington, all fear as to the withholding of the subsidy has been removed, the district auditor having waived his objection.

CURATOR'S REPORT. The curator (Mr. W. W. Smith) reported that the chief work of the Park staff during September had been the mowing of rough grass, general cleaning, trimming trees, and planting native plants.' They were at work grubbing up the dense growth of young oaks and sycamores on the steep slope extending from the tunnels to the Carrington road entrance. He had sufficient young native plants and tree-ferns to plant in with good effect. As directed, old trees had been given to four applicants, who had then removed them. During the month two packages of native trees were received from an unknown donor. Mr. Nicholson, jun., formerly of New Plymouth, but now of Maryborough, Queensland, had sent five fine packets of Australiant plant and tree seeds. Mr. Sandford had been good enough to repair some of the iron seats, and had presented some more plant labels. Quite recently some unscrupulous individual had cut down and removed a nice young lancewood tree, 10 feet high, which was growing at the back of the Racecourse. It was the third one destroyed during the last two yeara.

The report was adopted, and it was decided to write thanking the various donors of shrubs and the like. After considerable discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Hughes, that the annual subscription for the current year be payable on and after January 1 in every year. Mr. Hughes was appointed to represent the Board to make arrangements with the ladies for the collection of the annual subscriptions and the "Park Saturday" collection.

The statement of finances showed a debit balance of £4 4s Bd.

Mr. Percy Smith was appointed a visitor to the Park for the month.