Ferrymead expects 50,000 visitors

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33252, 15 June 1973, Page 10

Ferrymead expects 50,000 visitors

Since 1969 there had been an increase of about 10.000 people a year visiting Ferrymead, and this year it was expected that 50,000 would visit the site, said Mr G. L. Evans, chairman of the Ferrymead Trust Board, in his annual report presented last evening.

The trust, Mr Evans said, consisted of 13 active societies, five local bodies, and I five advisory societies. Two [more societies were considering membership. | The day-to-day business of the trust’ was becoming too much for voluntary workers, and a recommendation that a secretary-manager be appointed would be made to the next meeting of the board, Mr Evans said. The budget for the last financial year was $18,100,which included $lO,OOOl from the Christchurch City i Council, $5424 from the Wai-| mairi County Council, $lBO5 from the Paparua County; Council, $422 from the, Heathcote County Council, I and $2OO from the Riccarton Borough Council. However, all but $l2OO of: this was already allocated to

j specific projects either in the [ planning stage or under way, [including drainage and site work ($1940), riverbank projection ($2000), hangar ($1854), display hall ($7437), [tramway extension ($1750), land railways ($1870). 1 A tribute to the work of Mr Evans, chairman of the trust since its inception five years ago, was paid by the new chairman, Mr S. H. Wood. He said that Mr Evans had attended about 800 meetings on matters concerning Ferrymead and had shown great ability in balancing the wants and interests of the different organisations which comprised the trust. Officers elected are: Chairman. Mr Wood; vicechairman, Mr A. J. Robb; ! treasurer, Mr B. McFedries;

auditor. Mr J. F. McDougall; •jco-opted members, Messrs G. ■L. Evans and E. T. Beardsley.