THE SPORTSGROUND.
THE PAST YEAR/’S WORK. ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Sport sground Committee was held on Tuesday night. Present: Messrs. A. L. Humphries (chairman), J. Clark, A. L. Roberts, F. C. Ferry, E. Jackson, L. B. Webster, Jas. Garcia and E. Little (secretary)). The report congratulated members on the splendid work achieved during the year. At the time of the last annual meeting the scheme of improvement to the playing area of the sportsground had only just been started, and the sum of £147 had been paid out in wages. Since that time a further sum of £341 had been paid under the above heading, £l5B for soil, £6O for grass seed and manures, making a total expenditure of £7OO. Included in this amount was the cost of top-dressing, approximately £75. The report adds: “Although the amount expended on the ground may appear large, I think you will agree with me that the results have proved that the expenditure was warranted, as we now have what is generally considered one of the best sportsgrounds in the Dominion. The new drainage scheme, on which a good deal of money was expended, has proved an undoubted success, and providing the present levels of the ground are maintained there should be no further trouble in this respect.” The earnings from the ground alone for the six months from Maj' to October were over £3OO, so that it would not be unreasonable to estimate the annual revenue for the future at £5OO. Other moneys received during the year were: Donations, £lO6 Is 6cT, open-air concerts and community sings, £lO2 9s. The report recommended that a series of open-air concerts be arranged for the coming season’, and that community singing be included in programme. Satisfactory arrangements have been nigde with the Pukekura Park Board, whereoy the board’s permanent staff will keep the spoitsground in order. The ground should be ready for use next week. Messrs. Sladden and Palmer have already prepared plans for the extension of the terraces, which provide accommodation for about 20,000 people, and in anticipation of these improvements being carried out in the near future, the trees on the eastern terrace had already been removed. The balance sheet showed receipts were £514 9s 9d and the expenditure £BO9 16s lid, leaving a loss of £295 7s 2d. Liabilities totalled £247 (Taranaki Rugby Union £2Ol 4s, Pukekura Park Board £3l 9s, New Plymouth High School £l5). Assets were: Cash at bank £BB 14s, leaving a balance of £l5B 15s.
The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, explained that part of last year’s expenditure had been shown in this year’s balance sheet. This might be an unusual procedure, but it was considered better to show actually what had been expended. Mr. L. B. Webster seconded. In reply to a question, the chairman said that the new machinery consisted of a mower and a roller, for which housing would have to be provided. Mr. Jackson said the report* was a splendid one, and that the public owed a debt of gratitude to the chairman and secretary and other members of the committee who had spent so much time on the work, which spoke for itself. The report was adopted. Mr. Perry brought up the question of attention to the cricket ground. The chairman stated that a mower had been cabled for and should arrive in February. Meanwhile, the committee had to depend on the kindness of other people to lend their plant. It was decided to at once procure a hand mower. .
Officers were elected as follows: Chairman, Mr. A. L. Humphries (re-elected) ; secretary, Mr. E. Little (re-elected); hon auditor. Mr. N. B. Bellringer; executive and grounds committee, Messrs. Jas. McLeod, L. B. Webster, F. C. Ferry, the chairman and secretary. It was resolved to thank the 4th Wellington Battalion Band for assistance rendered; Messrs. Collier and Co., L. Hoffmann, and J. C. Kenny, for the loan of pianos; the four Central School boys who scouted during the season; the borough engineer, for taking the levels; the Taranaki Jockey Club and particularly the caretaker (Mr. Blewman) ; Messrs Collett and Co., for the use of their offices for meetings; and all others who had assisted during the year. It was stated that Mr. Revell, the custodian, was seriously ill in the hospital. It was resolved to forward a letter to Mrs. Revell, expressing the hope that Mr. Revell would soon be restored to health. New Plymouth Band Contest Committee applied for the use of the ground during hand contest week. Granted, on condition that the committee receives 15 per cent, of the gross takings, with the understanding that if the band contest does not prove a financial success, the committee will meet them on the matter of rental. The New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club were granted the. use of the ground for their evening meetings during December. Mr. McLeod applied, on behalf of the New Plymouth Caledonian Society, for the use of the ground for a sports meeting on March 10.—Granted subject to 15 per cent, commission. It was resolved to hold an open-air concert in the park on Christmas and New Year evenings. Mr. Ferry was asked to make the necessary arrangements. The secretary was authorised to procure five dozen Chinese lanterns, and, if possible, the grounds will be lit with electricity. It was resolved to place on record the committee’s appreciation of the work done by the chairman and secretary during the year.
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Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1922, Page 3
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918THE SPORTSGROUND. Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1922, Page 3
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