WESTERN PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1919, Page 3

WESTERN PARK.

• (REPORT OF THE BOARD. A meeting was held in tlm West End Bowling Club's pavilion on Thursday night for the purpose of nominating representatives to the above board. Mr. G. Corney, chairman, presided over a fair attendance. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £lB 13s 2d. Tnp receipts were: Rents £23 lis 3d, borough subsidy £37 10s, making a total of £79 14s sd,' and the' expenditure was £sl 15s 7d. The chairman explained that the borough council subsidy \vas £SO, but one quarter'was not received until after the end of the financial ye'ar. He detailed the work done during the past year, and also the suggested improvements for the coming year. Chief of these was the erection of a boulder wall along the whole of the Morlev Street frontage, with suitable entranco gates to the park. He thought that a great

many people did not realise what a. valuable asset they had in the park. It was one of the.highest, points in New Plymouth and one of the best places to get a good view of the town and its surroundings. He also referred to the?' proposed exchange of part of the reserve as a site for the West End school. This to his mind would be a mistake, as this was the only level ground of any size where the light was good and where all kinds of sports could be held. Mr. Sole said the park would never be improved aq it should be whilst the board was constituted qs it was at present. TThe councillors on the board had their h.mds full with other business, and could not be expected to give the necessary time to the work. Tie suggested that the borough council be asked to .ngrco to the ratepayers electing a large, energetic committee to manage affairs in connection with the park. The money now received by way of rent and borough subsidy was iua nearly sufficient to make the p.laee attractive. The suggested improvements on the Morlev Street frontage, mentioned by the chairman, would absorb all the money in hand, and unions efforts were made to raise further revenue they would still be unable to make further necessary improvements. Mr. Davies said he thought there would be a danger of losing the borough subsidy if they acted on Mr. Sole's suggestion.

Cr. Hill said he was quite sure this Would not be so. The council would any change which would be for the improvement of their reserves.

Mr. Petty said he was an old member of the hoard, and was quite satisfied that Ine only way to improve the reserve was to carry out the suggestions made by Mr. Sole. He was in favor of having a large committee. Tliev should also try and get the ladies interested in beautifying the park. He was in favor of building a tea kiosk in the grounds, where meetings could be held, and it could also be used as a means of raising revenue for improvements tc the grounds. Mr. Smith also supported the proposal for a larger committee, and he moved that the meeting elect four members, and that the names of six others also be sent, on to tlie council, with a request that the (ten names be approved. The following were nominated: Messrs Corne.v. Davies, Petty, and Reid. At the instance of Mr. Sole a deputation consisting of those present is to wait on the borough council to ask tliem to give effect to the proposals made.