PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1917, Page 4

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The Pukekura Park Board met last night, when there were present: Messrs. R.-C. Hughes (chairman), W. L. Newman, H. Ford and K. H. Tribe (hon. secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr. R. Cock.

CURATOR'S REPORT. The curator (Mr. W. W. Smith) reported that since the lafct meeting of the board the staff had made good progress with the general work of the park. The walk round the upper lake had been reformed, and the banks of the lake cleared of all rough and unnecessary growth, making a great improvement. Since the completion of that work the mowing of the rough grass on the hill walks on the east side of the lakes was continued. The hollow on the left of Carrington road entrance had been grubbed, and the rubbish heaped ready to be fired as soon as the weather allowed. The trees over hanging Filis street 011 the sports ground hill opposite Mrs Coker's residence were successfully felled on October 30. Advantage was taken of the strong wind blowing in the forenoon, and there was no difficulty in felling them without damage to the native trees. The felled pines would be cut up during the next three weeks and sold as firewood. Mr. J. Hill'put in five hours' work, and gave practical assistance in the felling. The thick growth of gorse on the same hill was now being grubbed. Some of the posts supporting the heavy iron fence on the Filis street frontage were giving way. and would require to be supported shortly by sinking other posts near them. Should the board consider the proposal to remove the high fence and to replace it with a lighter one, the sheet iron ivould realise a considerable sum. During the month a large packet of seeds was received from an unknown donor. The plants ordered from Mr. Wragge, of Auckland, came to hand on October 27. and were planted out in the beds near the lower lake. Three shillings and two pence had been collected from the donation box at the park;

the tea room. Upon removing tlris.'-rufe-beroid roofing it ivas found that water had got through, and" the woodwork underneath was in a very ted state. Portions all'ected had been removed and replaced with new woodwork. The iron which eamo oil' the olied was being put on in place of the rubberoid roofing. Upon taking up the verandah of the bathing slied it was found that the pile?, ground plates and , floor joists were rotten, and these would have to be replaced. The uiiderstructure of the whole buHi]ing, which had been up forty odd years, was unsound. The concrete piles for the boat landing were made arid were now (Irving. The estimated cost of the r»« pairs was £3O. OENEBAL. Mr. Hv Okey. M.P., forwarded a copy of the Washing Up Bill, which include" a section dealing with a portion of the old Holdsworthy road, at the back of the park, in front of Mr. Newton King's residence. The upper portion of thla road has been closed since 1871, and haa been made use of by the trustees foi mjny years, and the Bill now legally vests the land in the board. A letter of thanks will be sent to Mr. Okey. Dnrjng the month Messrs ' Webfitel Brothers had given an irolt-framed seal to the park. A letter conveying th» thanks of the board will be sent to them II was resolved that the woodwork at the Mere waterfall be repaired while the carpenters were at the; park. The suggestion that the sports ground should be let as a grazing ground for one or two horses was left with the custodian to consider. *

Mr. Ford reported that the work dom on the paths at the upper lake had greatly improved that part of the park, and bad opened up a beautiful picnic ground near Mr. Newton King's property. The old boat had been disposed o1 satisfactorily, and the other boats- ! 'ha< been re-painted and were now ready for use. The custodian was grajited 12 day*' leave of absence. Mr. Ford was re-appointed overseer for the ensuing month. The secretary reported that there was a credit balance of £204 10s Gd in the bank. Against this the. expenses were: Overseer's salary £l3, and. estimated costs of £25 for the concrete steps and piles at the boat landing, and £3O for repairs to the tea rooms and bathing sheds. The borough council's subsidy of £37 10s would he forthcoming during the month, so that the board had £174 odd in hand. Accounts amounting to £lB 10s 7d were passed for payment. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Tribe handed in his resignation as Tionorary secretary to ■ tho board. After discussion it was decided to hold over the question of its acceptance till next meeting of the board.