EAST END RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 8

EAST END RESERVE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the East End Reserve Committee was held in the East End Pavilion lust night, Mr. W. P. Xieoll presiding over a good attendance, including a number of ladies. 'REPORT. The report showed that the year iiaH been a fairly quiet one, owing to the war, which had taken large numbers of active members, and also to the fact that two sister organisations, Kawaroa Park and Xgamotu Seaside Committees, had been bustling to establish themselves. Solid progress, which it was hoped would be maintained, had been made. Just now the committee urged on the townspeople in general, and the East End portion in particular, that the success of the reserve depended entirely upon themselves. It belonged to the people, and the numbers who visited it during the year, especially of women and children, justified all that had been done and a continuance of the work. The band rotunda was now finished and practically free of debt. Picnics were hold on New Year's Day and Easter Monday, both being well attended. Small picnics Were also held on two Thursday afternoons. Tree planting had 'heen started on the reserve between the railway line and the river. vThe benefit of this would be apparent in a few years' time. It waß_.he.ped to continue this, Euchre parties held during the winter had proved a source of enjoyment and profit. Among a number of 'willing workers, special tribute was paid to the ungrudging work of Mr. W. Hardgreaves, both on the social side and in general work. The life-saving team had again secured the Tabor Shield. During the coming year it was hoped that, in addition to the usual work, the committee would be able to strengthen the hanks of the Henui from the railway bridge seaward and tuild a weir across the stream about 40 or 50 yards from the bridge. This would assist in making boating more popular, and eventually would permit of a water chute being built, a source of enjoyment to all juveniles. The committee thanked all who had assisted by labor and donations, and also those who had encouraged the committee by being willing to put in a good word for the East End. Special reference was made to "the loss sustained by the death of Mr. J. Elliott, an enthusiastic worker. The balance-sheet showed that receipts totalled £368 12s 2d, the principal items being socials and dances £167 6s Sd, picnics £77 18s 7d, rent £47 17s 6d, donations £35 17s Id, hire of bathing costumes £l3 18* 7d, afternoon teas £l6 13s 7d. The expenditure totalled £362 13s lOd, the principal items heing socials £143 3s 4d, picnics £59 llg-Ud", materials for improvement £2!) !)s Id, electric light £lB 7s 7d, outstanding accounts paid £43 14s 4d, band rotunda £22 13s lid, presentations, etc., £7 17a fld. Balance £ 3 18s 4d. Assets were £32 8s 4d, and liabilities to the Borough Council £l4B.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman emphasised the fact that the town's reserves were great assets. He paid a high tribute to the work done 'by the secretary (Mr. Bennoch) and his wife. The balance-sheet showed an upward tendency. Besides paying off £4O of the previous year's debts'they had effected quite a number of permanent improvements. The assets and liabilities were rather fictitious, as none of the permanent woriv; including pavilion, ro(> tnnda, seats, fencing, etc., valued roughly at £I6OO or £I7OO, could be shown, for, being a borough reserve, these belonged to the borough and the committee owned the liability. Generally speaking, the position- was satisfactory, though they were suffering on account of the war. Those left behind should overcome this and endeavor to keep things jogging. The East End could be proud of the fact that they were the pioneer seaside organisation in New Plymouth, and if they kept progressing they would soon come into.their own again. Mr. Stroud seconded the motion. Mr. Whittle referred to the loss sustained by the death of Mr. ,T. Elliott, one of their hard workers. He paid a jhigh tribute to the work of the secretary and committee, the year's working showing actually a credit'of £IOO. The installation of a water-chute and oil launch would tend to place the East End,again in a pre-eminent position. Mr. H. Bellringer urged the committee to take more interest in the society's functions. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follow:—Patron, Mr. 0. H. Burgess (Mayor of New Plymouth); president, Mr. W. P. Nicoll; vice-presidents, Mayors of Inglewood, Stratford, and Eltham, Messrs W, H. Moves, E. Whittle, J, Bennett, R, L. McElroy, E. F. Blundell, W. C. Weston, .fas.. McNeill, ,1. Abbott, T. C. List, J. Harvey, S. Hooper, F. M. Grayling, IT. Dempscy, If. Weston, E. Griffith's, A. Shuttleworlh, R. C. Hughes, W. Binnie, W. T. Jennings, E. Dockrill, E. Jackson. N. K. MacDiarmid, M. Eraser, W. N. Ewing. C. 11. Burton., A. S. Rrooker, C, C. -Ward, Drs. E. A. Walker, Blackley, and r.eatham.

General Committee: Tt was decided that this be limited to 15, and the foldovving were appointed: Messrs J. Roch, G. Feek, S. Stroud, W. Hardgreaves, R. Johnson, J. Allen, J. Cross, A. Christiansen, G. Gunson, IT. Bellringcr, C. Hammond, W. A. Monk, with power to add to the number; secretary, Mr. R. Bennoch (re-elected); treasurer, Mr. F, T. Bellringer (re-elected); auditor, Mr. A. Page; executive committee and sub-com-mittee will be appointed by the general committee; ladies' committee to be appointed later. GENERAL. A suggestion was made that a dance be held on November s.—Referred to the social committee.

Mr. Whittle suggested that an openair concert should be held in the earlier part of the evening and the bonfire lighted at 8.30.—T0 be considered. Votes of thanks were accorded the ladies and the press