PATEA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 13 May 1931, Page 6

PATEA

DOMAIN BOARD. A full attendance of members was recorded at the annual meeting of the Patea Domain Board last Friday, when Mr E. F. Hemingway was unanimously re-elected chairman, reports the “Press.” The following annual report was submitted by the chairman: The whole of the board’s property is in good order and condition, having been well maintained during the past year. The oval sports ground has been kept well mo-own throughout the year by means of the motor mower and lias been freely made use of by the various sports bodies and the general public, particularly the children, who have found the appliances in the Hunter Shaw children’s playground a great boon. The whole of the fences have been kept trimmed and the flower beds, which are a decided attraction, kept in good condition. In accordance with your wishes a shelter belt of maerocarpa and pinuis insignis trees has been planted on the south-eastern boundary of tlie Domain, which should afford ini excellent shelter for _ the whole of the Domain and tlie business portion of the town in tlie years to come. The total cost was £4O 4s fid. Thanks to the kindness of Mrs J. Peterson, who very generously undertook the • sale of poppies on Poppy Day, both last year and this year, a sufficient sum was raised to keep the memorial gates to- the Domain the town’s war memorial—in first-class order. They are at present receiving further attention, as they are liable to damage from the salt spray if not attended to regularly. A feature of the year was the very successful picnic held on the Domain by the combined Wanganui, New Plymouth and Patea branches of the Watersiders’ Unions, who found the Domain an ideal picnic ground and hoped to make use of it again in the future. The No. 5 scheme of the Unemployment Connnitte has been of service to tlie board in enabling it to eradicate the noxious weeds in tlie live paddocks adjoining the swamp. These should lie comparatively free from weeds by April 1 next, when they will he available for revenue purposes. A glance at the board’s balance-sheet will show the wisdom of members in placing the legacy of £IOOO on fixed deposit. Without this very little of the maintenance work would have been able to be carried out.' The figures show that 1 the actual cost of maintenance that was absolutely necessary to keep the Domain and buildings in good order was £ll2 3s 3d. To meet this obligation the board’s receipts were but £75 12s, which included £3 3s donations and £8 2s Gd from parking fees. Thanks to the interest from the £IOOO on fixed deposit, the board was not only able to carry out the whole of the maintenance required. but was able to plant the shelter belt and .provide for flower beds in tlie Domain as well. No report would be complete without some reference being made to the valuable services rendered by the lionorarv secretary and treasurer, Mr F. C. Jenkins, who has carried out these duties with unflagging energy and zeal for the past nine years. Mr F. C. Jenkins tendered his resignation as secretary and treasurer. Mr J. H. Crain’s resignation as a member of the board was also received. It was decided to forward Mr L. W. Hustings name to the GovernorGeneral for appointment as a member of the board. The board placed on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the board by both Mr Crain and Mr Jenkins, whose resignations were received with regret. PERSONAL. A gathering of members of the Patea Scottish Society and local businessmen and other friends of Mr J. Clarkson, a member of the staff of the Bank of Australasia, gave a surprise. party to him on Friday evening. Chief J. Kettles and Chieftain Lansglow expressed the hearty good wishes of many friends and thanked Mr Clarkson fo-r his good work for the society. He was presented with a gold-mounted fountain pen, suitably inscribed. Mr Hemingway spoke in similar terms for other friends.