6 SEVENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE [1909-1910.
Phosnix Park.
Alterations near Gough Statue.—The
work of planting tho shrubberies was carried out during the year,.and
a large number of spring flowering bulbs were planted round the margins.
The scheme of alterations has now been com¬ pleted and has proved a convenience and a very desirable public improvement.
Footpaths by Main Road.—Owing
to the largely increased pedestrian traffic in the Park during recent years, particularly on Sundays and occasions of important Polo and Cricket matches, the footpath accommodation at each side of the Main Road near the Parkgate Street entrance has proved quite insufficient, and in order to obtain increased width the heavy-iron railing which defined the outside edge of the footpaths has been removed, and a line of granite kerbing substituted.
"This has enabled a width of 3' 9" to be added to the foot¬ paths.
The opportunity Las also been taken wholly to re-make the foundations and to improve the drainage of the paths.
Screen plantations.—A
new screen plantation (of Cupressus Macrocarpa) has been formed parallel to the eastern boundary of the Royal Zoological Gardens for the purpose of hiding from view from the Park the backs of buildings and animal cages in the gardens.
Dust Nuisance on Roads.—With
the view of preventing the dust nuisance caused by motor cars, the Board during the year carried out an experiment in spraying with " Tarvia " the whole length of the Main Road from Parkgate Street entrance to Castleknock Gate.
This material is a special preparation manufactured in Dublin, and the result as regards the prevention of dust in summer and mud in winter has been entirely successful.
Lighting of Roads.—The
Wellington Memorial Road and the road loading from the Main Road to the entrance" to the Royal Zoological Gardens have been lighted with incandescent gas lamps, and the lighting on the Back Road has been improved.
Forestry.—100
English elms have been planted in irregular groups in care¬ fully selected suitable positions throughout the Park.
Football Grounds, Etc.—The
number of applications received during the season for the use of grounds for Association football, Gaelic football and Gaelic hurling were respectively as follows:—
Association football ...
...
...
...
2542 Gaelic footbaU ...
...
...
..."
76 Gaelic hurling ...
...
...
...
104
LONGMEADOWS ESTATE.
Rowing Clubs.—In
addition to the existing lettings to the University Boat Club and the Dublin Rowing Club, the Board have let, to the Neptune Rowing Club, a site on which Club premises of approved design have been erected.
The provision thus made is a considerable extension of the facilities for rowing on non-tidal water, and it removes in a large measure the difficulties formerly experienced by Dublin oarsmen from the lack of such accommodation.
Sea Fisheries (Ireland) Act, 1883.
46 & 47 Vic, c.
26.
The Works at Portavogie, Co.
Down, particulars of which were given in our last Report, have made satisfactory progress.
The expenditure under the Act during the year has been as follows :-—
Works at Portavogie, £2,556 5 8
Position of the Sea Fisheries Fund.
£250,000 was provided by the Sea Fisheries Act from-the Irish Church Fund for building and improving Fishery Piers and Harbours.
The balance of this grant—£3,000—which had remained in the hands of the Irish Land Commis¬ sion, was drawn in September, 1906, to meet the requirements of the service.
