PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1918, Page 6

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Pukekura Park Board was held last night. Mr. C. E. Bellringcr (chairman) presided, aud there wove also present: Messrs W. A. Collis, E. C. Hughes, IT. Ford, A. Gray (secretary), and W. W. Smith (curator). ' AN OLD LANDMARK. Mr. Bcllringer reported that in connection wiUi tile proposal to remove a portion of the old building at the rear of the Courtenay Street School and have it rc-ercctcd in the Park, in order to I preserve aiihistoi'ic>l>uikling,t!ie Government had declined to undertake the expenditure (estimated at £i7>s) of the removal and re-erection of the building. In view of the Government's attitude, it was decided to take no further steps in the matterBAND AND GATE TAKINGS. Messrs W. J. Penn and H. R. Oattle-y, representing the New Plymouth Citizens' Bund, waited on the board in respect to the recent decision to charge a levy of 25 per cent, on the gate takings at all public functions held in the Park. Mr. Penn, who acted aa spokesman, pointed out that the band, like the Park Board, was not a money-making concern —both organisations were for the benefit of the public- Tiie band thought the decision was somewhat against the interests of both the band and the park, and hoped the board would reconsider its decision, at least so far as the band was concerned. The band needed funds, and if it was not able to keep up its finances, neither would it he able to keep its music up to tho customary standard. The band did a lot of work for patriotic purposes, for which, of course, it received no fees, and the fees received from the few engagements available all present went chiefly to rcimlburse members for loss of time from their work, so that the memlbers were practically giving their services gratuitously. They were at present engaged in a military scheme for a new band room, which had committed them to an expenditure of betwen £7OO and £BOO, and hoped that until that matter was wiped out the board would be able to treat the band< a little more leniently than its latest ptoposal indicated. He pointed out that if the board .persisted in its decision, the band would not feel justified in going there for its entetrtaimnents, and no function there would be a success without the band's attendance.

The chairman replied that the board felt thai it had not been treated altogether as it had a right to expect by the band, hut he thought that if a committee was set up to confer with the toand, a satisfactory solution of the difficulty could be reached. Mr. R. C. Hughes s aid he strongly favored adhering to the decision of the iboard. He thought it much more businesslike to take a percentage of the gate takings, and to pay for the band's services when required. It was eventually decided that a com/ mittee, consisting of Messrs Bellringer, Hughes, OolMs, and Ford, with the secretary, be set up to confer with the 'Band Committee on the matter. GiHNERAIi. It was decided to have the entrance roadway, from Fillis Street to the ross pergola, put in better order. The secretary intimated that he desired the honorarium voted to him at last meeting to he devoted to some iiffprovement to the sports ground.

The' thanks of the hoard were expressed to Mr. Gray for his donation, ani it was resolved to have the money expended in a way tihat met with the approval of the donorThe curator reported on the work done in the grounds during the month. Accounts amounting to £6 Is fid were passed for payment.