KAWAROA PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1917, Page 8

KAWAROA PARK.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tbe Kawaroa Foreshore Beautifying Society was held in the Bungalow, Kawaroa Park. last, night. Mr. V. 11. Beal presided, and there was a good attendance of the public, the chairman expressing satisfaction at the representative nature of the gathering. PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT. The president, in his annual report alluded to the growing popularity of the ■park, visitors from far and near being unanimous in their praise of this popular seaside resort. The grounds alone are now equal to anything in New Plymouth, considering that only a few years ago the sandhills arid lupins were' the prevailing element. Thanks were extended to the committee for the free labor that lias been the mainstay. Money for the bungalow had been successfully arranged, and the weekly earnings from this source warranted the starting of a small sinking fund for paying off the expenditure on the building. The Easter picnic was a huge success this year, over £3Ol being taken. The euchre parties and dances had been continued through the year, with such success that the committee decided to purchase their own piano. The ladies' committee had dispensed afternoon tea, on three days a week, to visitors, and it is estimated that over 4530 persons have been served. So heavily had the bungalow been taxed on Simdays and holidays that it was found necessary to increase the. accommodation. Through the generosity of Mrs. Hnlke we have been able to improve a portion of our grounds that we were not able to give any time to before. The bequest of £53 4s (id has been utilised to the best advantage, as will be seen by the improvement of our entrance from Weymouth stroet. The Kawaroa 'Park ladies' committee raised at the patriotic mart over £11!). Appreciation was expressed for the £SO granted by the Borough Council, thus enabling improve, ments to be effected, and from the weekly revenue the committee has been able to keep a caretaker. The financial position is very satisfactory. The coming year should open very optimisticlly. Thanks were tendered 1 to all donors, and to the press. < The balance-sheet showed the total re- . ceipts at £047 8s 4d, including the balance brought forward of £37 10a lOd, and £3OO advanced by the trustees. The ; chief items of expenditure were: Extension to bungalow £322; repayment of principal £150; piano £SS; picnic £73; wall £72; improvements (Hulke bequest) £53; total £BB7 His; balance in hand £59 12s 4d. , Tn moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the increased profits accruing from better and roomier accommodation show-, ■ ed that the committee had been justi- • tied in carrying out the improvements. The year had been a very satisfactory one in every way; many important imI provements had been carried out, the . grounds had been kept in thoroughly i good order, and the financial position of ■ the society was very sound. ; In seconding the motion, Mr. E. Bary ■ congratulated the society on its very satisfactory financial position. Mr. J. J. Hill said that the committee deserved the highest praise for what it had ac--1 complished. None who saw the forei shore as it was five years ago, a men; wilderness, would have believed that it would ever be put in its present tiptop order. The work was all the more meritorious because the society had had so little funds with which to carry on. As regarded the- subsidv from the Borough Council, he could say that the valuable work of the society was fill' recognised, and the subsidy would be forthcoming. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron. Mr. W. L. Newman (re-elected); president, Mr. V. H. Beal (re-elected); vice-presidents. Messrs W. C. Weston, E. P. Webster L. Keith. K. Ward.. N. flreiner. J. E. Wilson, H. Price, A. E. Sykcs, W. H. Moves, 11. Dempsey.. E. Bary, T. C. List,'C. 11. Burgess, Dr. Leatham (all re-elect-ed); lion, secretary, Mr. L. H. Honeyfield (re-elected); lion treasurer, Mr. 5?. Robb (re-elected); executive committee; Messrs G. F. Russell, T. Petty, A. E. Bullians, F. Moverlcv and the chairman, secretary and treasurer, ex officio; ladies' committee, Mesdames Oliver, Wallach, McLean, Pratt Hoskins, 'Petty, Mo-, verley. Beal, Coad, Hooker, Grylls, Rampton, Pennew, Misses Pardy and George. Mrs. Oliver was re-elected president ol the ladies' committee. Management committee, Messrs J. Ward, J. Urry, J. Brooks, W. Avery, T. Pratt, G. Waters. S. Coad, J. McManners. H. Gayland

and the executive committee as elected. Messrs. Petty and Robb eulogised the untiring services rendered bv Mr. Bcr.J in every branch of the societv's work. In reply. Mr. Beal said that as he was president some time ago when the society ran into debt in extending the. pavilion, he felt in honor bound to do everything in his power to see the sodetv through till the debt was cleared. Mrs. Oliver proposed that in recognition of the services rendered by Mrs.' G. A. Corney. she should be elected a lif? member of the society. Miss Pardy seconded, and the motion was enthusiasticall v carried. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies of last year's committee who were now retiring; also to the chairman and the press.