FITZROY SEASIDE PARK

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 9

FITZROY SEASIDE PARK

SOCIETY’S WORK DURING YEAR.

FORM A TTQ-NT OF THE GOLF COURSE

The annual report of the executive of the Fitzroy Seaside Park Society states that the park has continued to prove an asset to the town and was well patronised during the summer by townspeople and visitors. The park is now well established and. in a few years’ time will be one of the most popular seaside resorts in New Zealand.

The past season has been particularly strenuous for the executive. Early in the season the need for an adequate residence for the caretaker became apparent. A contract was let for the erection of ■ a residence at a cost of

£349 ,10s and the executive is.indebted to the contractors for the reasonable terms arranged for payment. < It has been possible to repay £49 10s off ‘the capital, and all interest up to August 31, 1932, has been paid. The thanks of the Society are due to My. W. N. .Stephenson for drawing the plans and. ‘ speCifications and- in supervising the. erection. The tenpis courts were again ■well patronised during the season and the executive was able to pay £4O off ths loan account. There remains a balance .of £35 owing in respect of the courts and this should without difficulty be paid off during the coming season. The shop has proved a material benefit to users of the beach; the turnover- has shown a marked improvement and indicates the growing popularity of the reserve. The supervision of the shop (entails a considerable amount of time , and the executive expresses • appreciation of the ser-

vices of Mrs. A- E. Lewis, upon whom has fallen the bulk of the work connected with the shop. The. balance of the loan raised some years ago in connection with the road has now been repaid. It is hoped that during the coming season it will be possible to find ways and means of tar-sealing the road. The executive reports the formation and opening of the golf course, the work of which, had just been, commenced at the beginning of the season, and.the outstanding. success- that the course has proved since the opening. Probably no other similar seaside society in New Zealand has such an undertaking. The formation threw a heavy responsibility on the executive and has demanded a considerable of its time. Its continued success has proved a satisfactory reward. The course has evidently filled a want in-the. town and will un-. doubtedly develop into a' lanse ’■ under-

taking. For the past season.only a ninehole course was established, but the executive has ■ a scheme under way for an extension into full eighteen-hole course. The executive., expresses gratitude to Mr. G. A. Colson for the manner in ■ which he met the society concerning playing rights and. for the assistance he has' vjven in several directions, and to Messrs-"P. Grey ahd .C. H. Stephenson, whose-advice and. interest have been invaluable. A golf club was formed during the season' among players ' using the links a committee of that club was elected on which the executive has representation. ' With the help and co-opera-tion of the golf club and its committee the future of the links is assured. When the, full eighteeh-hole course is formed it will be. only a matter of a few years •before'-the course will rank as one of the premier links in New Zealand-

Towards the close of the past season the executive did a considerable amount of tree planting which will shortly add to the attractiveness of the park. Before long the society will have to face another large undertaking—the erection of better and more adequate bathing sheds. The executive:is indebtedtomany persons who have 'assisted in various ways. To all of these thanks are expressed. It .is again a matter of regret that very little tangible support is reecived from residents of Fitzroy, and more particularly from the users of the beach. There are only eleven financial members of the society and'the society has been dependent solely upon the unspared activities of the executive.. The work of the ' society • is : of value • to' ths residents

of Fitzroy and must undoubtedly enhance the value of properties in the immediate vicinity. The. past season has seen greater accomplishments than in previous years but much remains to be done and the eexcutive trusts that more active interest and help will be forthcoming to further the aims of the society. In conclusion, the executive would like to' extend to the caretaker, Mr. A. E. Lewis, its appreciation of the manner in which he has controlled the park and its activities. The report - will be presented to the annual meeting of the society to be held in the Fitzroy public hall on Thursday night.