EAST END PAVILION.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1915, Page 8

EAST END PAVILION.

A PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTION. OPENING OF ADDITIONS, There was a very representative gathering of citizens at the Ka»t End Pavilion last night, when the East End Bathing Reserves Committee held their annual smoke concert, additional interest being centred in this as it also celebrated the opening of the additions to the new Pavilion, a description of which has already appeared in this paper. The building had been tastefully decorated by the ladies of the committee, whilst the tables aNo presented a very pleasing appearance, and a light and tasty repast was provided.

Mr. F. C. .1. Bellringer, who presided, apologised for the absence of the president (Mr. .Stanley iSmitli). and also for several other prominent citizens. lie announced that donations had been received from Messrs P. J. Flanagan .€1 Is, H. S. Brookman £1 Is, M.'k. M,Diarmid .-£ I Is, \Y. X. F.wing 10s and \V. P. Xicoll Ilk

The toast list opened with the'usual loyal toast, proposed by the chairman. In proposing "The Army and \'avy," Mr. R. Cock referred to iiis experience of the latter in the troublous times of Taranaki, when, as a lad. he saw as half a dozen warships lying oil' \ew Plymouth. On one of 'them he had been carried down the coast and had been on board when it shelled the Warca Pah. Some seven or eight years ago he had seen in the pah a piece of chain from the chain shot of those days. He had also served in the Army in those days, and had been awarded 80 acres of land for his services. Another citizen was also granted SO acres, and they played a game of euchre for the two sections, and the speaker won. However, his opponent got level with him later on. In connection with the great struggle now going on, lie hoped that all The young people possible would go and he would be prepared to work hard to keep the pot boiling while they were away and he felt sure that others of his age would do likewise. They were depending on the young people of Xew Zealand to go, and while it was a serious loss to (lie Dominion to lose their services here they must set aside everything to let the men go.

Captain Allen, in responding, appealed to all young men that could volunteer to do so. He eonsiderod that tile return just made, showing that 3-1,000 men had stated their unwillingness to serve was disgraceful. He urged .-ill'to remember that they were up against an enemy whose strength they were now inclined to undcr-rate. It was a war of attrition and all who could he snared should join their comrades in the defence of tlleJCmpirc. They should remember at the same time they were defending their homes.

Sorgt.-Major Williamson, who ftbo responded, considered that discipline was the secret of the success of both branches of the service. The toast of ''The East Ending Bathin;;' Reserves Committee," was proposed by the Mayor, who gave a history of the progress made sim-e the formation in 1003. The. sea front, he said, was one of Xew Plymouth's best assets of value, not only to the residents of the town, but also to a number of people from outside. lie was pleased to sec the great interest taken by the people of Xew Plymouth in the sea front, as evidenced by the work of the various committees, and he was unable, to pay too many compliments to the committees in control of the foreshore—the East. End, Kawaroa Park, • Xgamotu. TJeforft dealing with the East End Committee's work, he said that he hoped to see a drive right from the Tbeakwatcr to the Waiwakaiho. To do that a definite and comprehensive scheme was wanted to prevent any of the committees' work over-lapping and being wasted. lie did not. know bow this could be arranged, !>ut possibly tfie creation of a Hoard having control of, the different parts of the foreshore might meet the case. Mr. Davidge, an authority on Town Planning, had visited the town some, years ago, and his report was expected shortly. It was interesting to see how the reserve had grown from a small beginning. Tn 1003, at the instance of a few East End ratepayers, who donated part of the pi'.--1 chase money, the l'eouuh Coumi! v.irehascd for £IOO tiv hvid on which'the Pavilion now stood, and in 1904 £250 was spent in erectkc; r, bathing shed and J protection wall. TV. veal start of the! popularity of the rev;■■.■,-• wu, in 1010, ! when the iY/'.ai- 1 ! divide.! the she! !;ito two portions. A hd'e-' .-.-.'-.ii-iit-teo was appointed. Since t:n ;: .'hanks to the untiring energy o! both the ladies' r.nd men's committee- »s 'H-c-V'.V.vity had i-w:-tinned to increase. Vi-e committee ser

to work very enev.i.-fi ■..'■•: a-,a the balding shed .ieeomn:o:!r-t:"o', Ving found in adequate before in r; ,f Mar.h, f,>'e accoiiiir.odstioii Wi. '-..;..-. than doulileii. the Council contrih;;''her ;." for £ up to ■C.VS for that and other improvemmts. •":; IMS. il top storev eos'.iug cor £4OO, wr-.s erected, the eiVoris of the com/ilitsv being- suppl"!-:.-!.-e.i )<■■ a grant of Us;> f'ojn the (Viiun:;!. This did not satisfy the committee, as the accoumiodatioa we.; considered insnflicicnt. and the pre -cut additions were made this year'at a cost of CMS. to which the Coun.il contributed .Cl."io. It would thus be seen that while the Pavilion had cost .-CI2SS. the Council bad only-been called upon to contribute ,t'sS.'. Large amounts had also li.rn spent on the reserve, to say liot'.ii!!'.' of other improvoments elfeeted by the '.nhirtarv labor of the committee. Commencing with 3'acres 1 rood. th» Coinn-ii bad purchased leasehold rig!;:- oi a nirlher 8 acres. The committre now had II acres of ideal park lands. The committee bad not confined themselves to raising mimey for their own purposes, as last year's balance-sheet showed that £SO Is 3d had been raised for Belgian Relief and £35 10s for the New' Zealand Wounded Soldiers' Fund. . V : \ members of the committee, viz.. Messrs. Fletcher. Sole. David-am, Sadler. Mason and llanlenvcs had gone to the front, Messrs <-:„|.. ; t nd Davids nll ] ; , vin ,,- down their lives in defence oF the country. In conclusion, he said that all should appreciate the worl; done bv the ronimittees; not onlv at the Ea=t End. but also at Kawnroa Park, one of New Plymouth's beanlv .-pots, and also at Moluroa. Rivalry as long as it was ]lo t 100 slrone- was a good tiling. Mr. Cock said ihal he thought that the Council should strike a -pedal rate for (lie improvement of the various reserves.

The chairman, in responding, said (hat if the committee needed any oneouiMgement tii proceed with their wurl;, (hey had received it that evening. Their idea was to make it one of the most popular benches of New Plvmoutll. where (he country /oik throughout the province could meet and picnic. This was meeting with more sue. ess year by year at their big Boxing Day and New Year's Picnic. This year they expected to have to cater f«r larger crowds than ever. TinEast End Committee was nreuared when

the time arrived to work in concert with any committee. The building they were in was one that the committee, had every reason to be proud of, and lie claimed that for convenience and comfort, there was not a better building in (lie North Island. He pointed out that, save on special days, no charge was made for anything.

Mr. W. ,T. Penn, in proposing "The Borough Council'' considered that at present the work of the borough took more time than it was reasonable to ask any .Mayor to give. He suggested the system of borough managers, who would he paii" to take the executive work. He considered they were fortunate in *.»- ting i!r. Burgess to take the position. He congratulated the committee on the work done, ann) remarked that not one ratepayer would begrudge the small grants given by the Council to the reserves. .He thought that while it was splendid to see the various committees working in healthy rivalry, some coordinate plans should be worked on by all so as to make the beach the finest pleasure resort in the Nortii Island. In responding, the Mayor stated that juilj'':g by the attention they gave to bu-.iness. the present Council should have a fair record. There was a good deal to be said for the appointment of a borough manager as suggested. For with the waterworks, electric light, tramways, and other matters, a business manager was needed. It was not always possible for the Mayor and Councillors to give the necessary time, but they had taken up the work and would see it through. '•Our Boys at. the Front," was proposed by itr. D. J. Hughes, who stated that this was a land anyqnc should he proud .to fight for. We would honor ''those who came back and revere those who did not.

Mr. li. Uockrill, in responding, referred to the splendid way in which New Zealand had responded at the South Afrieau War and also at Gallipoli, where they had been asked to do almost the impossible and had done it. We had reason to be proud of, and gratified to. the men who had enlisted,and he hoped men would continue to come forward till victory was finally assured.

Mr. .T. P,. Hill proposed "The Architect and Contractors," stating that the former had done the work gratuitously. In reply, Mr. V. Griffiths stated that if every one realised what an asset our beaches were, and all "did their bit," Xcw Plymouth would soon be a beauty spot excelled by none. Mr. Hard wick replied on behalf of Hardwick and Danks, the builders.

Oilier toasts were "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. D. J. Hughes, and responded (o by Mr. W. P,och; "The Press," proposed by the chairman and responded to by the representatives of the Taranaki Herald and Taranaki Daily News; "The Chairman and Committee," proposed by Mr. K Whittle and acknowledged. During the evening a splendid musical programme was rendered, songs being contributed by Messrs McClusky, IT. S. Brookman, Courtcncy. Varmer, J. Lovell (2>, Sergt. -Major Williamson; recitations by Messrs Farmer, ,T. K. Hill, and Captain Allen; monologues by Mr. Goldsworthy, and mandolin duet by Messrs (iadd. Before departing appreciative reference was made to the performers the majority of whom were encored. Mr. E. Golding presided at the ■■.;•■ no.