WILLIAMS PARK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8681, 14 March 1914, Page 6

WILLIAMS PARK

THE CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE.

The committee of citizens who hav« interested themselves in the acquisition of the Day’s ’ Bay reserve met yesterday evening. Mr D. McLaren occupied the chair,. and a number of others prominently connected with the work wefe also present. Reports.from several canvassers for , the citizens’ fund were received, and .the donations promised in .a number of oases were handed over to the treasurers, Messrs C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and T. M. Wilford, M.P., who havq, opened an account with the Bank of New Zealand, pending the settlement to take place between the vendors and the City Council. Tho secretary was instructed to convoy to Mrs .W. R. Williams the sincere appreciation of the committee for her generous and timely gift of the hkndsomo sum of £ISOO to the fund, which spontaneous offer did much to bring about the excellent result achieved. A resolution of thanks was also moved to the largo body of publicspirited citizens who so largely contributed at such short notice and in a manner whic!?, must have carried considerable weight in the final decision . ’

T. M. Wiiford, M.P., moved that special thanks be accorded to Mr W? J. Organ for his unselfish and untiring efforts to obtain Williams Park as a national, reserve. Mr Organ has throughout acted as chairman of the committee, and the responsibility and .initiative-'have almost entirely rested upon him. The amount of time and energy’which ho has given to the movement is only known to a few. The 'services rendered by the Nerw Zealand .Sports Protection League, which has, through its organisation, supported the acquisition of the reserve, were duly acknowledged. Tho chairman -of tlho league, Mr* 0, P. Skerrett, ’K.C.,' was a ■ prominent figure in bringing the avoa under tho notice .of-the Government, and Mr R, W. Shallcrass, the general secretary, has acted in a cimilar honorary position to the committee throughout tho campaign.

The following additional. donations have been received:—

£ fi. d. Dawson: Maudsley and Co. ■2 2 0 JE.i'K; Dowles 1 1 0 Alcock atid Co. 6 5 0 A. H.' Hollis 1 0 Sundry small amounts .... 1 17 6 Geo. Shand ■ . 0 10 6 Mr Wise, Kona Day 2 2 0