WEST END RESERVE AND BATHING COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 148, 17 November 1914, Page 3

WEST END RESERVE AND BATHING COMMITTEE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the East End Bathing Reserves Committee was held in the East End Pavilion last night, when the president (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) presided over an attendance of about thirty members. Cr. W. A. Collis was present, representing the Borough Council. The chairman considered the attendance that evening was very gratifying, as it showed that the interest taken in the reserve was not only being maintained, but was increasing. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors, including members of the West End Committee. This Bhowed that they were anxious to see the foreshore improved, not only at their own end, but also at this end. He also welcomed the chairman of the Reserves Committee (Cr. W. A. Collis).

ARRANGEMENT OF PICNICS. Beforo proceeding with the ordinary business, 1t was decided to hear a deputation from the West End Foreshore Committee, consisting of Messrs. George Tabor, V. H. Beal, and R-ussell. Mr Tabor, who acted as spokesman, stated that the object of the deputation was to endeavor to come to some amicable arrangement re picnics. He pointed out that they were all grafting with the one object in view, and he suggested that they should hold picnics on New Year's Day alternately at the East End and .West End. If the picnic was held on New Year's Day at the one end, it would be held on Easter Monday at the other, and vice versa the following year. In this way there would be no clashing, and one committee could assist the other. Working harmoniously in this way would lead to considerable pood. He understood also that Mr. Davidge was submitting a scheme to the council, whereby all could work towards one end. The West End Committee further suggested that on Good Friday neither committee should make any charge. Mr. Beal considered that the proposal would benefit the town. He added that ! f the Fast End Committee could not see its way to fall in with the proposal, it would not cause West End to feel any iniimwHy. hut they would still go on witli their good work. The chairman stated that there were many good reasons in favor of tile proposal. The East End Committee would give it their best attention, and let them know the result at as early a date as possible. In reply to a question, Mr. Tabor stated that they could not speak on behalf of the Breakwater Committee, as they were unaware of that body's proposals.

REPORT AXD BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report of the chairman (Mr F. C. J. Bellringer) was as follows: On behalf of the Committee, I have the honor to present a brief record of the work accomplished during the year just closed, a year of great activity and probably the most successful year in tlx* history of the Committee. Dealing with the finances first, wo commenced the year with a credit balance of £O7 2s lid. The gross receipts amounted to £495 2s 2d and the expenditure to £iH)2 3s, leaving a net credit balance at the end of the year of £OO 2s Id. The principal items in the expenditure. omitting the expenditure in connection with functions for raising funds, were:— £ a. d.

These figures arc exclusive of the sum of £l5O contributed by the Council towards the pavilion, so that the committee are. in a better position than they were twelve months ago by at least £450, £3OO of which has been raised by the united efforts of the committee assisted by the ladies' committee. We can not speak too highly of the efforts of our ladv friends. The balance-sheet discloses that even omitting the picnics in which they also assisted, the functions in which ' the ladies were principally interested, viz., the dances and euchre parties, and bazaars resulted in a net profit of £lßl 7s Id, a most welcome addition to the funds and a material factor in the great success achieved. It will be remembered that at the last annual meeting, it was decided to provide amusements in the pavilion throughout the year by holding the euchre and dancing parties to 3 which I have referred. This venture has proved so successful and the attendances so good ,that it will be necessary to enlarge ,the pavilion to meet the requirements for the com-

ing year. During the year the Borough Council with characteristic enterprise acquired lengthy leases of further land ad-1 joining the reserve, so that we may have ten acres under our control. With this land the people of New Plymouth have the making of one of the finest pleasure grounds in New Zealand. For some distance we have now control of both sides of the river, and strong efforts should be made as soon as possible to remove all the obstructions in the river in order to provide increased facilities for boating and fresh water swim-

ining, and also at the proper scrsoti to commence planting the newly acquired areas. Strong recommendations, however, should l>e made to the Bcfrough Council to purchase the freeholds of the lands of which they have acquired the leaseholds. It is beyond doubt that the result of the labors of tlio committee in popularising the reserve has resulted in increasing the value of property in the vicinity and the installation of tramways will operate in 'a similar way. Every year, therefore, the Coun-

cil postpones the purchase of the freehold of the land in question the greater will be the purchase money, indeed, in twenty or thirty years from now it is safe to predict that the purchase money will be enormous and probably there will be the greatest difficulty in persuading the then council to incur the heavy expenditure which would be involved in purchasing the land. By that time the .leases will have lapsed the work of the Committee for years will have been lost. The matter therefore, must receive our

most careful consideration. Many schemes for improvement will engage your attention during the ensuing year and with the willing band of workers on the committee. I feel perfectly sure that next year will prove even more successful than the one just past. There is another matter to which I feel that early attention should be given, and that is the need for better gateways at the entrances to the reserve. First impressions are usually lasting, and the present entrances detract considerably from the appearance of the Reserve, and this could be remedied at a comparatively small cost.

In conclusion, I desire to place on Tceord the thanks to all those who kindly made donations to the funds, to the ladies for their untiring efforts right throughout the year, and to the lion, secretary (Mr W. 11. Fletcher) who has been most assiduous to his duties. I also desire personally to thank the members of the committee for the support •which they have, accorded mc during the year and for the cordial and enthusiastic manner in which they have worked together in the interests of the reserve. The balance-sheet showed that the income for the year was £495 2s 2d, exclusive of the balance of £67 2s lid brought forward from the previous year. The chief items were: Bazaar, £l5B lis '2d; picnic, £l7B 3s 2d; dances and euchre parties, £92 18s sd. The expenditure amounted to £5Ol 18s, including £2Ol 14s on account of the pavilion, £42 9s Cd for bazaar expenses, £O3 lis Id picnic expenses, and £3-1 13s in respect of dances and euchre parties. The balance carried forward is £6O 7s Id. In moving the adoption the Chairman stated tliat the position was somewhat better than shown, as they had outstanding accounts due amounting to £l7 Ids 6d. The season had been far and away the most sueeesful that the Society had ever had. Mr Flanagan seconded the motion, which was carried without discourse.

MATTERS AItfSINC; FROM THE REPORT. Cr. W. A. Col lia stated that as far as the Council was concerned- there was no need to discuss the question of acquiring the freehold, because the Borough Council was fully alive to the necessity, and had the matter in hand. He pointed out that the machinery was rather complicated, but that it had not been lost sight of. It wa3 resolved to authorise the incoming executive to take the necessary steps to enlarge the pavilion in accordance with the plans and specifications prepared, provided the necessary financial arrangements can be made. It was resolved to ask the Borough Council to have BuUer Street improved, so as to enable the Committee to effect improvements at the entrance. Cr. Ct;i'is considered that the Committee should not overlook the Watson Street entrance, as when the trams were installed that would probably be the main entrance. The Borough Council might perhaps help them in their ac«css there this year.

CAMPING FACILITIES. Mr Mcllraith, on behalf of the campers, waited on the Committee and asked if the water and electric light could be extended, so as to give them the benefits of these.

Th« Chairman stated that they wore anxious to give eompers any facilities possible,, so as to induce as many acinpers, as possible to utilise the reserve in the summer. It was resolved to recommend the Committee to lay the water on, and to aproaeh the Council as to the extension of the electric light.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows: Patron, Mr. J. E. Wilson (Mayor); president, Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer (re-elect-ed) ; lion, secretary, Mr. W. H. Fletcher (re-elected); assistant secretary, Mr. W. Roch; vice-presidents, Mayors' of Inglewood, Waitara, 'Stratford, and Eltham, Messrs. Moyes, Dempsey, D, Todd (Inglewood), H. .Toll, Lepper, Blundell, Tabor, Pi. Cock, F. Messenger, R. C. Hughes, J. Hawkins, T. Knowles, A. McNeill, \V. C. Weston, T. Furlong, L. Sladilen, J. Abbott, W. Ewing, Jackson, E. Whittle, S. B. Hunter, S. Hooker, T. C. List, J. Paton, Binnie, F. L. Grayling, A. S. Brooker, Anderson, Jennings, E. Dockrill, Drs. Wylie, Home, and Walker. A general committee of about thirty, with power to add, was elected; executive, .Messrs. P. J. Flanagan, P. Boulton, .T, Revell, J. Roch, J. Chapman, A. Milne, and T. Eitzsimmons; social committee—there were nine nominations, and Messrs. Flanagan, Boulton, Fitzsimmons, Milne, and Revell were elected. Five ladies have also to be elected at a subsenuent meeting.

GENERAL. The resignation of Mr J. W. Henriehs from the committee was accepted with regret. Accounts amounting to £l3 os 3d were passed for payment. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladieß. to Messrs. Rcvell, J. Roch, Fitflsimmons, and A. Christian for woilv at the socials, to the. Press, and to the chairman.

Extinguishing debt on 14 0 pavilion .. >01 Materials for reserve 40 2 fi Labor on Reserve 11 !l 0 Fiano.. 50 O 0 £300 5 6