SOUTH PARK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 4

SOUTH PARK

MANAGEMENT BY COUNCIL DESIRED. DECISION OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY. A decision to ask the Masterton Borough Council to assume sole control and management of South Park was made at the annual meeting of the South Park Society held last night. There was a poor attendance of the public. Mr W. White presided. It was pointed out that all playing apparatus necessary for the entertainment of children had been installed at the park and it was all in first-class order. The society would no longer be able to have the services of its patron, Mr F. E. J. Ractliffe, whose excellent supervision and enthusiastic work generally in the interests of the park had been of inestimable value in its development. On account of indisposition, Mr Ractliffe had found- it impossible to continue his work in that direction and as no one appeared to be available to carry out this work in such an efficient manner, it was considered that the time had arrived for the council to take over the control of the area.

The balance sheet showed that for the year ending March 31, 1939, there was a credit balance of £2O 0s Bd, with liabilities totalling. 15s, leaving £l9 5s 8d on hand, which sum would be available for return to the borough council out of its grant of £25.

The meeting agreed that the council should be asked to consider retaining the services of Mr Riley as caretaker, A strong recommendation was made to the borough council that the park be kept as a children’s playing area. Votes of thanks were accorded to the hon treasurer, Mr D. B. Curry, and all the outgoing officers. Mr Frater moved and Mr White seconded, "That the Council be asked to change the name of the park to “Ractliffe” Park as a small compliment to that gentleman for his great work in connection with the establishment and work done during the yast 12 years. The resolution was carried.

The president in his remarks stressed the good work done by the Beautifying Society, the ladies’ committee and all the citizens who had acted from time to time on the committee. He asked that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr Ractliffe for the great work done by him in the interests of the children of Masterton. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the hon secretary for his services. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.