PUKEKURA PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1918, Page 2

PUKEKURA PARK.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS The proposals of the Pukeknra Park Board with regard to the adoption of a more progressive policy for the development of the grounds are already meeting with the support* from the pubiic. Since the matter was ventilated at the last meeting of the Board several offers of assistance have been made, and it is expected that when the general public clearly understand the nature of the work that is contemplated there will be a liberal response to the appeal that the Board intends to make for funds to carry out its programme That the. grounds are a valuable asset, not only' to New Plymouth, but to the whole of Taranaki, has long been recognised, and there need he no hesitation in making the appeal a far-reaching one. The park is not merely a pleasure ground; it is an educational institution, and affords facilities for botanical research which in some respects cannot be surpassed. The scheme which the Board contemplates carrying out deals principally with the valley lying immediately below the grandstand at the .racecourse. The development of this section of the grounds is not a new idea. It has been urged by Mr Percy Smith for many years, but lack of funds has delayed the* undertaking. The matter was brought up again by Mr. C. E. Bellringcr at the last meeting of the Board, when he advocated a comprehensive scheme for improving the valley referred to, urging that the time had come for a more vigorous polity of development. He expressed his belief that the general public would support the Board in adopting policy, [The work includes the making of a fernery for which, according to the curator (Mr W. W. Smith), there is no more ideal spot than that on the left-hand side at the entrance to the valley Already a good deal of excavating has beer, done just there, and the remaining work of that nature requiring to be done would not 'be very considerable Some trees which are exhausted will have to be taken away and other transplanted When the work is completed and the entrance—ac arclrwav of native creepers —made from the path 'leading up to (lie racecourse, there will have been ('."ated a fernerv which will become one of the finest in the Dominion. Higher up it is intended to complete the lake which was started some time ago. Walks will be lorraed along the surrounding banks, and when the ferns and trees, which it is intended to plant, have become established this corner will form one oi the most picturesque and interesting sections of the park. The valley lends itself admirably to such a, scheme as i? proposed. Prom the top,, standing on the bank immediately below the racecourse—which', by the way, is to be made a special icrn bank—and looking down the valley the picture k a particularly pleasing one. lino' when under the skilful guidance of the cujator, the Board's proposals have beet, completed, it is sate to say the policy will receive universal endorsement. To carry out the work a sum of several hundred pound' will be required, and the Board proposes holding a fete toward* the md of next month to help wise the amount aimed at. In addition. it is intended to arrange a series of fortnightly evening concerts, and the assistance of the Citizens' Band is being nought in this direction. It was resold fid to anproach the Borough Council for a subsidy of £250. The Board is bent. mi making the appeal a popular one, and details arc being considered fur thecarrvmg out of the proposed fete next month