BROOKLANDS LAWNS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 7

BROOKLANDS LAWNS

NECESSITY FOR ATTENTION. EXTRA WORKER TO BE ENGAGED. To check the possible danger of grass on the lawns at Brooklands growing so quickly that the park’s appearance would be damaged, the Pukekura Park Board decided last night to place a man oh the work for a fortnight and to make representations to the Labour Department for a subsidy for a man permanently on the work. At present, subsidies in the payment of men on work under the board’s control are only granted for new Work. At the park, there are four men helping the superintendent, Mr. T. H. Horton, on permanent work, according to his statement last night. At Brooklands, there are two and with the increase in size of the lawns, it has become essential that one man should attend them all the time. With the limited permanent staff available, however, attention cannot be given the lawns other than occasionally. Mr. Eliot King last night declared that it would be fatal if proper attention was not given the lawns. The grass at this time of the year, he said, grew quickly and, without attention, the appearance of Brooklands would be considerably damaged. The proposed scheme for the planting of an area on Brooklands Road in native timber, discussed at the board’s last meeting, was mentioned when it was reported that the ; proposed field day of members and borough councillors for inspection of the site had been postponed owing to weather conditions. Members decided that the day should be held tomorrow week and councillors will again be invited. In the same connection, it was stated that necessary empowering legislation for the work was in the hands of the chairman, the Hon. James McLeod. Mr. C. E. Bellringer, after inquiring what was to be done, said he was personally in favour of the scheme and he considered the whole of the board’s bequest moneys should be capitalised to make it possible. The work, which would be of immense value in succeeding years, was permanent, and the money would not be disbursed for maintenance* work. Mr. F, Amoore said he had no doubt the money would be provided somehow.

Speaking on the scheme, the superintendent said it was important that he should know whether the board was going to adopt the scheme so that he could get as many young trees as possible ready for planting in the nursery rows this year. The board decided to reach a decision at the field day.

The month had been extremely busy, the superintendent reported. The old water lily lake improvements had been completed and the water had been restored to the waterfall near the hatchery. For the work the pipe drain had been relaid, the old one having been choked with root growth. The pergolas in the sportsground and at the back of the tea house had both been reconstructed, old piping being used instead of timbers for cross bars. The structure would be made more permanent by the work.

A collection of rare native trees anonymously presented, xyhich had been in nursery rows for a year, had been planted -in permanent positions in the Fillis Street section. Both blocks of rhododendrons had been overhauled and the area turned over. The rhododendron dell extension had been re-dug and would be in excellent condition in the autumn for permanent planting. At Brooklands, soil had been carted to fill up the old house drive and the lawn extended across this area. The lawn put down last year had been top-dressed. Brooklands was looking most attractive with flowering shrubs in full bloom and an abundance of spring flowers. On the sportsground a good deal of work was necessary on account of the number of football games. In 15 days, 27 games were played. The new terrace work was proceeding slowly, the weather hindering operations. There were present Messrs. F. Amoore (chairman), E. King, N. Johnson, F. Parker, W. F. Short, E. J. Carr and C. E. Bellringer.