PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 297, 19 May 1914, Page 2

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. At the monthly Electing of tho l'ukukura Park Board" last night, there wer > present—Messrs W. L. Newman (in the chair), F. P. Cork ill, R. C. Hughes, W. A. Coll is, W. Ambu-ry, and H. Ford. An apology for absence wh received from Mr. C. W. Govett. CURATOR'S REPORT. Tho curator (Mr VV. W. Smith) repouted tliat when the year 1013-14 emd»il at March 31, the statT wis employed reforming and draining walki in tho park, which iwwk was continued as long as materials lasted. The nine pine trees ordered to be cut down were next attended t)o. The planting of' young native tree ferns occupied a fortnight, grubbing gorse and broom, mowing fern and ; rough grass followed, but was much hindered by wet weather. Two days were given to scraping the bottom 'of th# lakes with a strong scythe to prevent ttvo growth of pond-weed, which had given no further trouble. We(; weathor and strong winds up till December 20 caused much work. Except a small patch near the racecourse, the whole park had been mown twiee during the year. During ithe winter it was proposed to slightly remodel the entrance to tlio park at Gilbert street. Tho growth of the trees wa« so rapid that it was intended to make the broad walk two .or three feet narrower on the waterfall side to enable tra»gpl«ntfttion #f rare and valuable trees to form an additional'row inside the tar! edging. It would consist of olearios and scenicsf, which would greatly impruvt the entrance. The planting ol native trees and tree ferns would occupy some time. A considerable amount of trimming off tlie lower branches of pine 'tTees would be required to enable tiho ferns and general undergrowth to make headway. Re-forming of walks and tutting down pine trees, etc., could be authorised by the board after inspection. Tlfe beds on the lawn and (!he had made vigorous growth during tfie year. The flax bedi contained 84 varieties of native flax, all flourishing well. All the sccnicas and oteairias received Iwm Ka.ita.iain the fair north, and those from an altitude of 3000 to 5000 feei, on the mountains of the West Coast «f the South Isliind, and from the Chatham Islands had flourished vigorously side by side. Miss Devenish haid sent some new plants, Mesdames Free.th and Oarrie seeds and I*ot plants respectively, and an anonymous donor had nlso sent some fine native plants. Seeds hid aTso IWn .received from Kawlria, and Mr Hanreght, of Tau.mß,ninivi, sent n ymetatge of royal fern and other plant*.