PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 113, 6 October 1914, Page 8

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY -MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Loard was fixed for last night but lapsed ow.ng to there not being a duorum of members proscnt. The following are the reports from the curator (Mr. W. W. fcmiith) for the u onths of August and September: AUGUST REPORT. As directed by the members of the i>ouid, who ma in the Park on the loth ultimo, the reclamation of the s-wann near the tea-house, and the enlnigeinent o the water-lily lake, have tie a compiled as lar as it i B practicable at I'l-csent. The weather is now suitable for continuing the work on the treshiy-dug ground, and for finally forming and planting it. 1 would therefore ■be glad it the Board members could "ay a v,sit of inspection, and determine what, it-modelling it may require to comI- ttu- the work. We have alreadplanted two dozen large tree-ferns, comprising four, spa-ics, on the banks of the newly-cleared area. All other details can be settled when the Board members visit the Park.

Owing to the. high winds recwith- we lave Iliad to devote several days' to craning und burning the accumulation or leaves, etc., in several jmitls of the grounds. The work is necessary as • safeguard against fire now that the drier weather is coining on. We have also devoted four days to grubbing corse on the sida of the Old Oarrington road, I near the I'ark cottagei There are a few I more important jobs which, I think would prove a great improvement WeM /they sanctioned to bo done Lv Hie Tsoi ■( ihwo Will bo Submitted to the members ior consideration ou their next visit to the Park.

During tne month Mr. Code presented three dozen tree-ferns, comprising three species, to the Park. Nine were 3ft in height and tho others smaller, but all aro very healthy plants and very acceptable. Mr. Cox, of Tonguporutu, also sent another donation of native tree seeds. Miss Devenish added further to tho collection of azalea* by brimming in half-a-dozen plants, injudini* two plants of Mollis.

| SEin'EMTJHK KEPOrtT. During the ];ast month nine days wero devoted to re-modelling the newiv-clear-cd swamp, forming a walk along the side of, and planting the banks of the sumo. We have also widened tin channel of the stream passing; through it, which is an improvement. VV'o will 'require Bibs of lawn- grass seed w'th which to sow the flat. The banks will be planted with a collection of r.ativ•■ ferns, and we hope to eomipleto thc whole work inanotheir week, or perhaps a little more. Much oi our time is now required in mowing and burnina; glass and leaves. The two days' strong easterly winds that blew a month ago departed a salt spray; on fche tree-ferns and turned them brown. Ther,: ore now aiiaking vigorous growth, and will soon throw off thc effects of the saline win.l. During the month Sir. Arthur (,'ox, of Tongaporutu, lias sent a collection of native plant seeds to tho Tark. Mr. Wm. Arthur also brought a parcel of trees and .shrubs from thc mountain. Mr. T. W. Adams, of Greendale, Canterbury, sent tra. packets* of American tree steds. They have now all been sown. Th,. tnistees of the late Taylor White, Wimbledon, presented the Board with five dozen and four of hybrid ducks bred from Chilian teal and the grey! duck of New Zealand. Two have died since receiving thimi, and one was killed' by a dog. Our own stock of native and hybrid duifa are nearly all nesting at present.