The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1921. PARK CONTROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1921. PARK CONTROL.

The discussion which took place at the meeting of the Pukekura Park Board, on Tuesday, on Mrs. Burgess’ motion that the Board should be dissolved and the control of the domain vested in the Borough Council, brought to a head the clearly defined issue which has for a long time past been awaiting a settlement. The point at issue is whether the present system of administration by a self-elected Board is in the best interests of the reserve, or whether, control should be vested in the hands of the people’s representatives on the Borough Council. In an admirable and logical statement in support of her motion, Mrs. Burgess made the position perfectly clear, and the reasons advanced by her in support of the change should appeal convincingly to the community. There are two outstanding principles involved in the management of public domains such as Pukekura Park—the constitution of the Board of Control, and the provision of the necessary finance for the upkeep and improvements inevitable (to maintaining exceptionally attractive beauty spots set apart for the enjoyment and recreations of the citizens and visitors. In these democratic days life appointments to public boards stand condemned as being antagonistic to progress. The principle of periodically infusing new blood into local administration is the only one that can satisfy modern requirements, more especially as it involves direct control by popular franchise. Conservatism is one of those tenets that not only makes for stagnation, but dies hard. It by no means follows that expedients which may have been justifiable half a century ago will serve the purpose to-day. Mr. Hughes admits that the original proposal for the control of the Recreation Grounds was to vest the administration in the Town Board, but that members objected because

“their hands were full.” It is probably difficult for present-day inhabitants to realise the difficulties of the New Plymouth Town Board in 1876, which led to this objection. At all events it is universally conceded that the life members of the Board have done their best according to their respective lights and the smallness of the funds at their disposal. That, however, in no way justifies a continuance of a system of administration that, in spite of the courage exhibited, failed to move with the times and had to beg money from the Rublie to JWeveat the j*.

serve from lapsing into decay. We pass over Mr. Hughes’ defence of the nominative system as well as his unhappy reference to the unsuitability of elected members, for his arguments merely emphasised the need for the change for which Mrs. Burgess’ motion provides. The very fact that lack of funds practically compelled the nominated Board to go to the Borough Council for a subsidy the granting of which was conditional on the Council being represented on the Board, thereby paving the way for an elective system of control, is sufficient to justify the proposed change, provision for which was made in the Act of 1876. According to Mrs. Burgess’ estimate the actual expenses on wages if a superintendent is appointed would amount to £BOO a year, and her suggestion that the income from the Ngaere Reserve might well be utilised in beautifying the town’s charming surroundings is well worthy of consideration. In any event it is evident that unless the Park is controlled by the Borough Council, and supported either by funds from the Ngaere Reserve oi by a small rate, it cannot be maintained in the state which such a splendid asset deserves. There is much appropriateness in the contention of Mr. V. Griffiths that the whole of the reserves in the borough should be under a general management committee outside the Council, but elected and administered through the Borough Council. The people of New Plymouth have been indebted to Mrs Burgess on many occasions, but it is doubtful whether any of her efforts will confer such a lasting benefit on the town as the stand she is making for progress in the administration of Pukekura Park. The action initiated by the chairman, in the direction of first ascertaining what the Borough Council was prepared to do in the event of the change of control being carried out, was quite the right course to take before finally voting on the original motion. The reserve belongs to the people ■iculd be controlled by the people’s representatives, and maintained by public money. There should not be the slightest difficulty in arranging a satisfactory scheme that would ensure the development of the natural attractions of the park on progressive and aesthetic lines.