MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 4007, 8 January 1892, Page 2

MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Jfurk Trustees was held in the Institute yesterday, there being present Messrs J, 0. Boddmgton (Chairman), B. Hare, E, Feist, A. W, Renall, F. Q. Moore and O.E, Bremner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, Tho Treasurer reported a credit balance of £BOI Is 7d. Mr K. Hare stated that he had heard complaints that the charge made for the Park for Sunday Schools (U) was too high. The Chairman stated that cono?ssioiw were" neaallv mado to schools. The Secretary of the Town Lands Trustees wrote, stating that the debt of the Trust would be taken ovor on consideration that the shares held by the_ Park Trustees in the Building Society were transferred.

On the motion of Mr Feist, seconded by Mr Hare, it was decided that the offer of the Town Lands Trustees be accepted.. Tho Secretary was instructed to give effect to the resolution forthwith. _ Mr Joseph Payton, wroto resigning liis position as a member of the Trust, owing to ill-health. He thanked the Trustees for the courtesy with which he had beon treated during the term of Mb Chairmanship, and congratulated tho Trust upon having liquidated their liabilities. Mr Boddington said Mr Payton had been a very usuful member of the Trust, It was through his efforts the Trust had" been relieved of its* liability. Ho understood Mr. Payton intended leaving on a trip to the Old Country and would not be back for about six months. He would rather that Mr Payton bo given leave of absence for that term. Mr Hare: I will move that Mr Payton be requested to withdraw his resignation, 'and that he be given six months leave of absence, Mr Renall: Have we power to i grant the leave of absence under the Act? I don't think we have. We can excuse him for being absent from meetings. Tho Chairman read tho Act on the subject, which showed that the seat of a member became vacant at the expiration of six mouths. Mr Renall: Mr Payton had bettor withdraw his resignation and let things stand as they are, Mr Breraner moved that Mr Payton be requested to withdraw his resignation.

Mr Moore seconded.—Harried,

Mr Moore moved, in accordance with notice given, " That the Trust, recognising the public character of the sports held by the' amalgamated Friendly and Caledonian Societies, will be prepared to give preference to those bodies in selecting a day on which to hold their gatherings by granting them until ike Ist November in each yei'r in which to make such selection, all applications to be made in writing and accompanied by a deposit of five pounds.' 1 He thought the matter which had been disoussed at last meeting should be finally settled. He considered that the Friendly Societies and the Caledonian Society should have preference as public entertainments to the use of the Park. Mr Brcmnor seconded the resolution.

Mr Hare thought it would be desirable to give tho matter publicity, so that tho two societies named would not kavo the exclusive right to. the Park* He would movo accordingly as an amendment, The Chairman stated tbe notice of motion had already appeared in the : papers. Mrflreinnor; Nearly the whole of the Societies are included as Friendly Societies, Mr Hare; I shall withdraw my amendment then.

Mr Renall fully concurred in the objeot of the resolution, which was put and carried. The Secretary was instructed to forward tho resolution to the institutions interested. The ranger reported that the Park was in fairly good condition, The fences had been repaired by the Caledonian Society. The grass had been cut satisfactorily, A quantity of broom had sprung up, but it had been destroyed, The trees in the Park had not been injured materially during the holidays. Mr Hare stated that ho had been in tbe Park and found that certain portions of the grass were left tmout, The Chairman said it was a very surious matter, If the contractors for the grass did not cut the whole, the Trustees should see that it was done. Considerable damage might be done to the Park by fire. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Bremner and. Renall was appdinted to visit the Park and have any grass cut which they may consider necessary, The balance-sheet lor the year was read and adopted, and ordered to be published. The Chairman stated that the balance-sheet showed the Trust to be in a satisfactory position, The receipts jfrora rents jjad, been nearly double those gf last year. " • ' Trip Secretary ps instructed to, write to Mr Llewelyn jSmith for a copy of his survey o| i theP'ar| : . The following accounts were passed for paymwit:—Z. M. Hoar, 8s 6d; J. Payton & Co., ISsj J. J. Smith, 15s; J. C. Ingram, £2 Is Oil; W. SelhMll3sßd. The meeting then adjourned,