PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1918, Page 6

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING j The monthly meeting of the Pukekura Park Hoard was h-Id on Tuesday night, when there were present: Messra K.Y'ock, 11. Ford, C. E. Bcllringcr, J. W. llayden, and the secretary (Mr. A. Cray). Jn the absence oi' Mr 1!. C. Hughes Mr. it. Cock was voted to the chair. Mr. 11. Cock apologised for his absence during the. past three mouths. THE PARK FETE. Mr. C. K. Bellringer reported that he had interviewed the Mayoress, who was willing to undertake the whole organisation of the afternoon tea arrangements for the proposed fete. lie suggested that the fete should take the form of a motor gymkhana, which could he held on the Park and racecourse. A similar function at Wang-ami! had proved very successful, and, if properly organised here, should raise £2OO or £'2so. He understood that a committee of men in touch with sports would undertake the arrangements. If application was made to the Jockey Club, he believed there would be no difficulty in obtaining the use of the coursie, as the money, .was to he mainly utilised in improving the valley leading up to the course. It was resolved to hold a special fete on March 7 and a. committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs R. Cock, J. W. Hayden, C. E. Bellringer and the secretary, was set up to make arrangements. It was resolved to ask the Mayoress to undertake the afternoon tea arrangements. CURATOR'S REPORT. The curator (Mr. W. W. Smith) reported: As in the previous month the chief work of the Board's staff has been that of mowing, the growth of rough grass and burning it The walks on Cannon Kill have been reformed and widened with improved results. The walk to the racecourse has been widened in parts and graded. We now propose to proceed with the widening and reforming of the walk leading up to John street from the Triangle bed at the Sports Ground. We are mowing t> area at present. When mown and cleared the work will be proceeded with. The walk up the hill in the sports ground is completed. I would can the attention of the board to the present condition of the sports ground. As we cannot possibly hope to mow the ground with scythes it will be necessary to procure a horse and horse mower to do the work. Some of the very objectionable grasses are now in flower. They should therefore he mown to prevent them from seeding and the grass promptly raked and burned. The terraces will also have to be cut to prevent the weeds growing on them from seeding. This work could lie done with scythes,

The secretary stated that in connection with the sports ground, the Technical College, who were in charge, had been in vacation, but had now resumed and would attend to the cutting of the grasg. Mr. C. E. P>ellringer said that some arrangements should be made for cutting the grass during the vacation. There were a large number of visitors to the Park at this time and the iinsightly appearance of these grounds gave an unpleasant impression. He also considered that some improvement should be effected in the appearance of that entrance in the shape of climbing roses, etc. Mr. Ticllringer urged that they should consider the question of an extra man and evolve a scheme to take charge of the boats themselves and the revenue provided would pay the wages of a man. who could work on the grounds during VM morning in the holiday season and low; after the boats in the afternoon. Mr. Ford considered that there would be a hue and cry if the iron fence was taken down. Mr. Cock favored the idea of a net work of /.iimi.;»<» roses, which would also provide shelter. Mr. Tiellringer said that the present time was an opportune one for disposing of the iron. GENERAL. Mr. H. Ford was appointed visitor for the month. Mr Ford suggested that some member o{ the staff should be kept in the grounds on a Sunday, but members considered the funds would not permit of this. Accounts amounting to £52 4s 4d were passed for payment.