PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1916, Page 3

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The Pnlrelcura Park Board met last night. Present: Messrs S. Percy-Smith (chairman), W. L. Newman, R. C. Hughes, D. Cock, and H. Ford. THE SPORTS GROUND. The chairman brought up the question of the future of the Sports Ground, which, he said, was daily getting in a Worse condition, and the' Board would have to decide whether to take it over or leave it under its present control. Mr. J. Clarke, lion, secretary of the Recreation Sports Ground, wrote: "I am afraid things are not too good with the Sports Ground, as at the present all attempts to raise money for other than patriotic purposes seem doomed to failure." Mr. Hughes thought there was no alternative but for the Board to take over the grounds. He expressed praise for the energy shown by Messrs J. Clarke and J. McLeod, who had done everything possible to raise funds, but had met with no support. Mr. Hughes moved .that the Board's solicitors should be instructed to take steps to enable the Board to re-enter into possession of the Sports Ground and terminate the lease given to the Sports Ground Committee, action to be postponed until after the May meeting of the Board. The resolution was carried. PAST MONTH'S WORK. The curator (Mr. W, W. Smith) reported:—"Owing to the drv nature of the weather for the past month the Park staff continued the work of mowing grass and burning the masses of rubbish accumulated under the pine trees after the recent equinoctial winds. Tlio long spell of dry weather is also responsible for the low condition of the upper lake. It is now two feet below the- norma' l level of the water. The stream from the Old Carrington "Road, and the one from the spring in the valley above the tea rooms are the only supplies entering the lake, and these are greatly diminished in volume. During the montii all the seats requiring repairs have been finished, as also were the faulty planks in the two bridges. The small half-dead trees on the slope leading up to Johns Street have been removed, as per order of the Board when the members last visited the Park. Fences have been repaired wherever they required such. Since last meeting I have received the outrigger canoe presented by Mr. Newton King. It requires a coat of paint before being put into commission. The old large boat now in the shed requires repairing and painting if it be worth the expense. It would be advisable for an expert to inspect it and the Board to see it before recommending anything ueing done to it. During the last month seme friend of the Park sent forward some native plant seeds from Mokau. Although the weather continues very dry the vegetation, with the exception of a few tree ferns, in the Park is withstanding it very well." GENERA!* The chairman reported that the Okato Domain Board had approached him and asked that the services of Mr. W. W. Smith should be lent to the Board so that he could advise them in laying out public grounds at Okato. The chairman said he considered every assistance should be given Domain Boards in improving their towns, and he had arranged for Mr. Smith to go to Okato.— The chairman's action was confirmed. Mr. R. C. Hughes was appointed the visitor for the month.