PARK SPORTSGROUND

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 13

PARK SPORTSGROUND

COMMITTEE'S ANNUAL MEETING. YEAR’S ACTIVITIES RENEWED. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Sportsground Committee was held on Wednesday night, when jj r A. L. Humphries presided, and there were also present: Messrs. F. J. Dill, E. Jackson, T. H. Bates, O. Cook, H. N. Johnson, A. J. Papps, J. Garcia, A. I. Moore and L. Little (hon. sec.). An apology was received from Mr. G. J ago. The chairman submitted his annual report for the year ending March 31, expressing pleasure at the satisfactory results obtained during the year, both financially and from the viewpoint of the great improvement to the sportsground generally. “The improvement to the ground,”’ the report stated, “ie largely due to the keen interest taken by°Mr. Norman Johnson and the curator of the park (Mr. Horton) who, with his staff, has been unsparing in hrs efforts to make improvements wherever possible. The balance-sheet shows that there was a falling off in the revenue received for the year. This was largely due to the wet season affecting the attendance at the football matches as though the interest in the game was keener, the revenue received- from that source is only £206, as compared with £251 in tl;e previous year, whilst the revenue from cricket also shows a decrease of about £l5. “The cost of upkeep was practically the same as in the previous year, with the result that the excess of expenditure over the revenue for the period, without taking into account depreciation amounts to £54. Included in the expenditure, however, are several items of a semi-permanent value, which cannot be included in the assets, but may not be recurring for many years. The fact remains that our expenditure exceeds our revenue and we must find ways and means of reversing the position during the coming year.” The balance-sheet showed that receipts had totalled £321 2s Id, the principal items being rent £393 6s fid (Taranaki Rugby Union £206 ss), Cricket Association i2A 5s 6d, Australian Silver Band £2l 5s 6d, Football Clute £3l 7s6d, Civil Servants and Law £l7 fe 6d, Hockey Club 8s 6d, sale of horse £ll, interest £6 15s 7d. Expenditure totalled £450 5s sd, the principal items being wages £234 3s Id, maintenance and repairs £ll3 13s 7d, depreciation £75, seed, soil, manure, etc., £3O 7s lOd, sundry expenses £l2 15s lOd. There was a deficit of £129 3a 4d on the year’s working. The assets totalled £1313 lid, being cash at 'bank £167 5s lid, mower and roller £lOO, tractor £145. shed and stand £63, pavilion £835. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman pointed out that last year, owing to the wet season, had been a lean one as far as revenue was concerned, but as the years advanced he considered the revenue would increase. At the same time, owing to the permanent nature of the work now being carried put, the cost of maintenance and upkeep could be expected to decrease. He considered, therefore, that the balance-sheet disclosed a very satisfactorily position. Mr. E. Jackson, in seconding, said he thought the general appearance of the grounds would be considerably improved if the top rails around the ground were painted white. Mr. A. J. Papps, on behalf of the ericketers, said that the ground teas in splendid order for cricket, being the best ground for fielding that he had ever played on. The top-dressing of sand, which had been viewed with suspicion, had proved a success. Cricket last year had not contributed much to the revenue, but they now had a firstclass ground to play on and with the impetus given to the game by tine Winning of the Hawke Cup it was hoped that more revenue would be forthcoming. Mr. T. H. Bates, president of the Taranaki Cricket Association, said it was hoped to defend the Hawke Cup during the present season and thus bring considerable revenue to the ground. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follow: — Chairman, A. L. Humphries (re-elect-ed) ; honorary secretary and treasurer, L. Tjittle (re-elected). Eulogistic references were made to the splendid work of the secretary during his term. Hon. auditor, N. B. Bellringer; ground warden. Mr. H. N. Johnson (re-elected); executive, the chairman, ground warden, secretary and Messrs. T. H. Batea and J. McLeod (re-elected). In reply to Mr. E. Jackson, the chairman said the continuation of the railings would be earied out at once, and the steps would be renewed in concrete. Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman, the ground warden, the auditor, Messrs. Collect and Co. for the use of their rooms, and the Press. The chairman referred in enthusiastic terms to the work of Mr. T. H. Horton, curator of the park, who, he said, made the care of the ' grounds a work of love. It was resolved to forward a letter of appreciation to Mr. Horton. The New Plymouth Pipe Band was granted permission to play on the grounds on January 30, subject to the Borough Council’s approval. The New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club was granted permission to use the ground on the evening of December 27 for a sports meeting. The Old Boys Football Club was granted the urse of the ground for Easter Saturday for their annual match against Gisborne Old Boys.