RIVER IMPROVEMENT FUND.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 8

RIVER IMPROVEMENT FUND.

STATEMENT BY MR R. B. OWEN. In view of the. remarks made by Mr H. J. Beswick at the Domain Board's meeting last Friday, Mr R. B. Owen, organiser of the fund, has asked the Mayor to take the matter, up. It is probable that the Mayor and Councillors will, inspect the river banks tomorrow morning before going on their annual inspection of the city reserves. Mr Owen made the following statement last night:—The River improvement Fund has from the commencement been kept as a city fund, all donations being paid into the City ireasury. All cheques are drawn by the lion, treasurer of the fund, Mr H. it. Smith.,,. Town Cierk, and countersigned by two of the City Councillors. v\ ages have been paid out by the city paymaster on the signed pay and timesheets of the Superintendent of Reserves. An audit ol the account will disclose the fact, that all expenses of organisation (except advertising and audit), including stamps, stationery, etc., have been given free, that the organiser was the largest contributor to the fund, and also that the River Improvement Fund owes him £49 8s 8d for moneys advanced to square sundry liabilities incurred. As regards the Labour Day Fete held in Hagley Park the statement that the Domain Board had not received one penny piece, is very wide of the mark. The arrangement made by- me with the Domain Beard was that in the event of the fete being a financial success, the River Improvement Committee would give £SO towards furnishing the children's playground. As a matter of fact, the fete was not the success anticipated due entirely to unfavourable weather. Nevertheless, the Board benefited by the gift of the chute, which cost £45. The following i s a copy of my letter sent on behalf of the River Improvement Committee and read at the previous meeting of the Domain Board j—WeJiave pleasure in handing, + T r i^ the d . for the fr <* use of the children of Christchurch the doublesided chute, which was paid for out of the proceeds of fete held in HaZ Park on Labour Day. Tears, £Zf% B. Owen." An audited balance-sheet is being sent to the Board by the hon treasurer of the .fete (Mr J B kale' k fS accountant), which, wII & that after paying expenses and cort of the chute, a loss of £2 <>„ „„ • furred, this amount being adv'Z by me to square liabilities" advanced