PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13746, 8 September 1908, Page 2

PUKEKURA PARK BOARD.

The Pukekura Park Board met at the office of Mr F. P. Corkill yesterday afternoon. There were present Messrs Corkill (chairman), S. Percy Smith, W. L. Newman, F. T. Bellringer, H. Ford, and R. C. Hughes. An apology was received for the absence of His Worship, the Mayor, who had v number of other engagements. The. Chairman reported that the Central School authorities had expended, a considerable sum of money in the construction of a swimming bath in the Park and that it would be available for use when summer sets in.

The Board resolved on the motion of Messrs Ford and Hughes that the following memorandum signed by .the Trustees on May 29th last should! be confirmed and entered in the minutes of the present meeting: "The Committee of the Central District Schools having selected (with the approval of the chairman and Mr S. Percy Smith) a site for the construction of a swimming batfr in the gully between the Tea House and the Racecourse, we are willing that the work shall be commenced forthwith conditional upon the supervision being undertaken by our colleague Mr Percy Smith and also that the school authorities shall make arrangements for the children to be under the control of a teacher when using the bath.. This consent to be formally confirmed at the next meeting of the Board."

The Chairman reported that in pursuance of the resolution of the Board the lands available for leasing had keen offered for lease at a public auction on June 27. The only lot leased was No. 4, comprising sections 1047 and 1048, New Plymouth, wJiich were taken by Mr L. Hansen at the upset rental of £5 per annum. An application had now been received from Mr C. E.j Bellringer for the lerise of lots 1, 2, and 3, at the aggregate upset rental of £25 per annum. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Newman and Smith that the application of Mr C. E. Bellringer f,or the lease of part sections 1255 and 1256, town of New Plymouth and X New Plymouth Town Belt subject to specified conditions be granted. , ' A lengthy and interesting report by the curator, Mr W. W: Smith (published elsewhere) was read and discussed.

Mention was made that the grey duck had made themselves at home on the litle arm Which has been constructed by Mr S. Percy Smith above the Central School lake ; also that the Russian geese and other aquatic birds are now nesting. The Chairman also reported that the curator's cottage had now been thoroughly renovated and that Mr Newman had placed in his hands a cheque for £25 as a donation from Mrs Honeyfield to cover this outlay. On the motion of Messrs Ford and S. Percy Smith a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Honeyfield for her generous donation and also to the Misses Curtis and Devenish, Messrs Sexton, Newman, Fraser, H. Hursthouse (Greymouth), Brereton, Codd (Inglewood), E. Maxwell (Opunake), W. Gordon, P. R. Mace, and Dr. Walker for welcome gifts of plants, bulbs and seeds.

Mr S. Percy Smith reported further correspondence on the* subject of the name "Pukekura Park," and stated that he had received an intimation that the Trustees had full power to make the desired change. The Chairman reported that the Sports Ground Committee was preparing to give a fete or garden party on the King's Birthday for the benefit of the Board.

It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Newman and Percy Smith that the Board greatly appreciated the good will of the Sports Ground Committee and its members would co-operate in making the proposed function a success. The Chairman reported that considerable 'annoyance had l>een caiised through the unrujy. and in some instancps oTfpnsivp, ponthiot of youths and young men frequenting the grounds on Sunday afternoons. The complaints had

appeared in the papers and evidence was now available which would enable the Board to take proceedings against a number of offenders.

A letter was received 1 from four youths who voluntarily apologised for their misbehaviour and begged that the Board would overlook it. After some discussion it was agreed that the apology should be accepted and that the prosecution of other offenders should be proceeded with. It was also decided, on the motion of Messrs Percy Smith and Bellringer, to communicate with the Government with the view to the appointment of the Board's officials ana several gentlemen as special constables. On the motion of Messrs Newman and Ford the Chairman was ' authorised to make arrangements for the carryingon of the Tea Room, during the ensuing summer.

The Chairman suggested that in view of the important work being carried out in the Park it would be well to hold the meetings of the Board on the ground as frequently as possible, so that all the members would be kept in touch with what was going on. This was agreed to.