EAST END RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1917, Page 4

EAST END RESERVE.

CIPENIXa OF ROTUNDA. The improvement of the Kn«t F.nd Reserve was advanced another sta?u last evening, when a fine new burnt rotunda was opened. The improvement', carried out at tlic Reserve during the past few years redounds to the creditof all concerned. The rotunda is situ.ated in the open space between the front fjate and the pavilion. It lias a heavy 'owri'to foundation, finished in rough east. The steps, as well as the pillars which support the roof, are also o? concrete. The materials used in the construction of the rotunda were donated, and the structure was erected by free labor. Yesterday afternoon tli. l grounds were gaily decorated with ■bunting, and over a. hundred children and a number of adults assembled in tin- area 'Races were organised for the younger folk, /toys being given as pvizes. A great number of those present spent a considerable period in the. water, 'bathing being a. pleasant, pastime. The principal function took place in the cveniuc;. when the. grounds were brilliantly illuminated by colored electric lights. Fully 500 people gatlhered round the rotunda, and listened with pleasure to the miisie. discoursed by the Citizens' Hand. Shortly after *S o'clock tX : Mayor (Mr. 0. IT. Burgess), accompanied by Mrs. Burgess, Mr. \V. P. Nieol (chairman of the East Knd Committee) and Mrs. Nieol entered the rotunda. Their appearance was received with a round of applause, Airs. Burges* being presented by Miss F.lsie Whittle with * bouquet of pretty flowers. Addressing the gathering, Mr Xicul thanked them for their presence, which be regarded as an expression of appreciation of t.bc work done by the committee. The members of the committee were justifiably proud of their work, and they were happy when they saw the public avail themselves of the facilities offered. The. committee trusted the Reserve, would become increasingly popular. Mr. Nieol announced that an area on the Fitzroy side of the Te lleimi River would shortly receive the attention of the e'ommittce. The place would be laid out and beautified.

THE MAYOR'S EULOfiISM. Tho Mayor paid a tribute to tlic on. thusiasm aiul energy that had been displayed by the men and women on t'.ia feast End Committee in hrinaitijj about the beantification of the East End Reserve. "All honor and credit to them," said the Mayor, "and I hope their work will always be appreciated. Tt is hard to estimate how rmieh lias been done, but it is evident the East End Committee have done their share in popularising New Plymouth." Mr. Burgess said t'lie rotunda bore testimony to th:zeal and .generosity of the committee, and thev deserved the best thanks of the community. The Mayor expressed the hope that the time would come when all the seaside committees would work together for ..the one end—the formation of a promenade from Fitzroy to the Breakwater.

THE. MAYORESS' TART At this stage the hand played the National Anthem, after which the Mayoress released the red, white, and ■blue, ribbon that crossed the entrance, and then formally declared the rotunda open, amidst applause. Tho band repeated the National Anthem, and the Mayor called upon the bandmaster (Mr. F. W. (i. McLcod) to ascend on to the platform of the rotunda.

The band entertained the assemblage for over an hour with popular numbers. After the recital a large proportion of tihose present remained for tho dance, w-y<H was held in the pavilion.. Among tho ladies responsible for the provision of tea and supper at the afternoon and evening functions were Mesdames Jenkins, "Wade, Tnwnsend, Bennodi, and Miss Guiipon. Mr. P. Bouiton provided the music at the dance, and Mr. G. Tippins acted as M.C.