THE GERALDINE PARK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1445, 22 December 1885, Page 2

THE GERALDINE PARK.

On Friday evening a public meeting, convened by the Geraldiue Domain Bo'irH, was held in the Town B>*rd Office. Dr Fiwh. Chairman of the Bxird, presided, and there were 14 persons pre-J sent. The Chairman stated that the jfct of the meeting was to consider whether something could n< t be done to put the small park in a stite of repair. ■> His Board would cordially approve of any N steps taken in this direction, though the Hen had not emanated from them. Anyone connected with the town must sea that it would be a good investment to lay out a few shilling* in improving and beautifying the park. At one tme the park was much ndtnired hy visitors who came lo Geraldine. In those day*, however, the Board used to get a grant from Government, aud they were then in a position to pay a man to look after. But the grant had been done away with, i»nd all they had to defend on new for revenue were the rents from the two larger reserves.

Mrj F.irrell would like to ask the man of the Town Board (Mr whether his Board could not uke the park ever, and devote a portion of th«ir funds towards keeping it in order, Mr Pearpoint did not think the Board cou'd legally spend their funds A thst manner, and he questioned whether the auditor would pass the account. He would move—" That all pre»ent be foimedintoa Committee to canvms for voluntary subscriptions towardu putting and keeping the small park in order." Mr F«rreli seconded the motion.

Mr Dnnlop before the motion was put would like to know what was the amount of revenue the Domain Board received.

The Secrstary to ihe Board, Mr D. McKenzie, stated that the income of the Board from rents whs now £3O 10s »■ year, and they had about £25 in thef Bank. As the Board contemplated putting the fenrea in repair and erecting a new gate ht 'he entrance to the larce parlt, he thought that most of the balince in\ hand would be abso'hed. J

Mr J. Quirin said that as it was in. ; tended to ank people to subscribe towards keeping the Park in repair, would they allow all ihe private gates to be used as at present ? He did not consider this was right. He would willingly contribute towards keeping the purk in repair if they were done away with.

Mr Peurpoint s;iid ha did not see any ob« jection to people putting gates up to allow their children to get through into the park. Mr Dunlop quits agreed with what Mr Quinn had said, lie had been told horses* were frequently allowed to run in the park. It would be no use spending money in laying out the grounds again if this was allowed.

MrFarrell afked, in reference to Mr Quinn'a remarks, whether anyone had made application to the Dom-i'n Hoard for permission to put gates in the pa r k fenc*.

The Chairman answered in the negative,

Mr Huffey said that horses ought certainly to be prohibited from running in the park.

The Chairman said he was not aware until that day that such was the c;>se.

Mr McKepzie thought the best thing was to do away with the private gates. Mr fluffey said he would rather see etiies than gites put up, as the latter always a loophole for horses and cattle tonß get through. 1 Mr Ojuinn did not think gates were re- f quired from any person's .'property. ? People ought to go round by the roads ind not be allowed to mike private roads \ through the park. Such things were not allowed elsewhere.

Mr Dunlop asked what had been the rat 4 of wages paid to the man who had formerly charge of the park.

Mr MiKenzie said from 30s to 35s a we k.

Mr Dunlop laid the voluntary conlributions would only answer for a time. If sufficient money could be taisod to put the park in a state of repair, t'ie revenue of the Board ought to be sufficient ta keep it in order.

Mr Quino suggested that some sttonld go round and ascertain thePamount that would be given annually. The Chairman thought Mr Pearpoint'a motion might be amended in this dirge-,

Mr Pearpoint consented, andhismotiW was then put and carried »J "That all those present at the meeting be formed into a Committee 10 canvass for annual contributions towards putting the small park in ordes."

As a suggestion to the Domain Bo»rd Mr Karrell would propose that those wht had put gates in the park fence be naked to close them or replace them with stilel

The Chairman thought the idea a goi one, as he did not esee any harm in peotj having ptil'os. J Mr Quinn was against either; tl were not allowed in other parks. M

Mr Hawkins said ihrra cou'd be no obie<tion to steps ms no or horses coii'd g*t i" by them. ThU ended the discussion, and the meetiog then terminated.