KAWAROA PARK SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1919, Page 7

KAWAROA PARK SOCIETY.

PRESENTATION TO PRESIDENT. A social gathering was held at the Kawaroa Park bungalow last night for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. V. H. Beal (president of the Society) in recognition of his services ill the interests of the park. There was a large attendance, Mr. T. Petty presiding. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr W. A. Collis), in making the presentation, said ho was particularly pleased to be associated in the evening's function. He recognised the great amount of work that had been put into the affairs of the society by Mr. Beal. He reminded those present, however, that the present condition of the grounds was not the work of a day, and he referred to the initial efforts in getting the reserve vested in the borough and to the early work of tho3e who took an interest in planting the grounds, and to t)ie generosity oi Messrs Newman and Rollo who "gave strips of land from their frontage.? to enable the esplanade to be made right up to the entrance to the groi»ds. He expressed great pleasure that now the younger men of the community were taking up the work in connection with beautifying the reserves, amongst whom the guest of the evening was one of the most prominent, and also that the idea was being inculcated into the mindß of the children that the properties belonged to the community and should be respected as such. He then presented to Mr. Beal a gold watcb [ind albert, inscribed as follows: "Tc Mr. V. H. Beal, president of the Kawaroa Park, from the townspeople oi New Plymouth, 23rd December, 1919.' This, he said, was a small tangible expression of the appreciation of Mr Beal's many services, on the part of th( members of the society and the towns people. He hoped that expressiol would be a great source of satisfactioi to Mr. Beal. (Applause.) Mr. A. E. Sykea, an ex-president o the society, congratulated Mr. Beal oi the progress made under his direetioi and urged that further endeavor shouli be made to make the park still more at tractive, as it was one of the most vain

pble assets to the town. Mn J. D. Sole, president of the WcstelTi Park Board, Mr. F. J. Hill, representing the Borough Council, and Mr G. Moverley, one of those who had been associated in the early work of putting the grounds in order, also spoke in appreciative' terms of Mr. Beat's work, and m on the recouiiitiott that his work had received. Mr. Hill referred to the fact that over £IOOO had been spent on permanent improvements outside the work to the grounds, and said very little of that had come from the council.

Mr. Beal, in responding, thanked those who had spoken for the kind things said, and also the donors for their valuable gift. He felt, however, that if it had not been for the fine committee they had the park would not have been in the splendid state It was, at the present time. He referred to the Work done when the sandhill began to be transformed into a park, and said he felt sure the people of the whole district were proud of the park now. He remembered with what trepidation they had launched out on the scheme to build the bungalow and also to the need which had arisen for still further extensions to the building which were carried out last year. For this the society was greatly indebted to the ladies for the work they had done. He was pleased that to-day the building with all its appointments wat quite free of debt. He hoped lie would be spared to work still more in the interests of the park. He also wished the kindred societies success, and that they would receive that measure of public "support which their efforts deserved.

Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Beal, and Mrs Wallach presented bouquets to Mrs Beal and Mrs Corney. During the evening musical items

were contributed by the Misses Bennett, Mesrs B. Bellringer, S. G. Dunstan and Scoble. A large number of those present indulged in card playing, and a very enjoyable supper was served by the ladies.