PUKEKURA PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1915, Page 7

PUKEKURA PARK.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. i The Pukekura J'ark Board met on .Moudav night. Present: Messrs S. Pcr.y-iS'mil'h (cliuinnaii), J!. Ford, 1!. Cock and K. C. Hughes. Apologies were received from Messrs I<\ P. Corkill, J. 10 Wikson, W. A. (Jollis and W. F. Short. OUUATOK'S UM'OKT. The curator (Mr. W. W. Smith) reported:—Since last meeting the Hoard's slali' has 'been employed re-forming i walks, tree-felling, general cleaning, and burning of rubbWi under the trees, and planting. Our work was hindered somcj what by the stormy weather at the be- ' ginning, and from the lsth to the , 22nd, of last mouth. When cutting down the cuprcsses m'acrocarpa trees we obtained between three and four dozen .excellent and lasting posts, with which we have repaired the fences along John street and along the Carrington road. The spare wood (first-class firewood) found a ready sale/ at the price we asked for it. We were unable to continue tree-falling until finished, but will return to the work and fell the remainder of the macrocarpas this week. The old ■ pine trees near the Carrington road will I also be felled and removed. When the) | work we are doing at present is finished, I we will be.enguged for two or three days transplanting shruihs and trees at the Gilbert street entrance. These native ! plants have grown so rapidly and vigorously that they are now crowding, and must he thinned to enable the various 1 species to form good specimens. The ] winds and floods of last month did no damage in the park. Owing to the extreme mildness of the autumn and winter many of both the indigenous and Introduced plants are. blooming two months before their due time. The general growth of plants in the neighborhood of New Plymouth is at least a month . earlier than in former years. As usual at this season of the year when the liner bulbs are in bloom the latter are being stolen in considerable quantities. Although last night was one of heavy rain ft quantity of narcissi blooms were taken I from the borders. Since my last rcI.l>ort" several' ladies and gentlemen have rent new plants to the park. Mr. Cock ■sent plants of kourcroya, banana and ( annuals. 'Mis s Dovenish also presented | a number of plants new to the park. Mrs. John Wheeler also sent some rare plants new to our collection. (Mr. Billing, of l''rankley district, presented six new species of wator-lilw, which are very acceptable. They have been planted at •the head of the water-lily lake. A Palmerston gentleman sent a' large coTfeetion of roses, which have been transplanted in a new bed made on the site of the old peacock house. Two local gentlemen presented valuable new plants, but I am not 'permitted to use their names. Two New Zealand beech trees were presented, one each by Messrs Davis and Messrs Morshoad. Thanks were aecorded to donors of plants, etc. Pending negotiations for a carnival on the Sports firound by the Sports Ground _ Committee, it was decided that the matter of lease he held in abeyance. The application of the Hospital Board for the curator lo visit the grounds to advise re planting, etc., was granted. iMr. Hushes submitted a scheme prepared by Mr. Black for lighting the park on fete nights. The matter was referred to the chairman and MessrsHughes and Cock to report on. Accounts amounting to £2 8s 8d were passed for payment.