THE A.A.A.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 21, 6 November 1935, Page 2

THE A.A.A.

LAWNS IN EAST STREET. TH Ei HISTORIC PAGEANT. The executive committee of the Advance Ashburton Association met last evening, the president (Mr AV. C. J. Osman) presiding over a small attendance. Mr W. K. AVaters said that at the last meeting it was resolved to ask the Ashburton Borough Council to remove the temporary fences on the lawns in East Street, but no mention Svas made in the motion of the laying of paths across the lawns. This matter had been mentioned at the meeting, but it was not included in the motion and there had been some slight misunderstanding regarding the letter to the Council. A letter was received from the Borough Council stating that the temporary fences would be removed, but that tne recommendation to construct paths across the corners of the lawn coula not be agreed to. The chairman said the only solution appeared to be a higher wall. Mr W. Thomas said the lawns were for the use of the people and lie did not think there should be any walls. If the grass was worn out more could be sown.

Mr H. R. C. McElrea said the secretary (Mr G. V. Furby) had presumed in writing his letter to the Council that the Council knew more than it did about the matter of the paths and he (the speaker) had pointed this out to the Council. AVhat he said before the Council was no reflection on the secretary.

Mr Cooper said the lawns were certainly for the use of the people, but not for their misuse. The grass would not grow on the bare patches because of the great amount of foot traffic across them. “What are we going to do about the patches?” he asked. “AVhere is our progressiveness?” The chairman said that all members agreed that the patches were unsightly, but even with paths he did not think the people would keep to them. The matter of higher walls should be kept in mind. In connection with the historic pageant to be presented in Ashburton on December 21 by AA r omen’s Institute members, Mrs F. Curtis (president) and Mrs H. J. Constable (secretary) of the Mid-Canterbury Federation of AA 7 omen’s Institutes, waited on the committee.

Mrs Curtis said! that the institutes had decided to give 25 per cent, of the proceeds to the Association in return for the assistance of members. It had been decided that the Oval was unsuitable for the pageant, and the spectacle would he presented on the AVaireka Croquet Club’s old ground. Gatekeepers would be required and dressing accommodation in the baths enclosure. The Ashburton Silver Band had indicated its willingness to assist. Seme seating accommodation for the general public would also be necessary. Mr F. K. Cooper urged the reconsideration of the decision to hold the pageant on the old croquet lawn instead of on the Oval. Mrs Curtis said the matter had been very carefully considered, but in view of the necessity to have a background of trees for several of the scenes, it would not be possible to utilise the Oval.

Mr Waters said there should be no difficulty in arranging for the presentation on the croquet lawn. The players knew best what type of area was required for the pageant. Appreciation of the offer of the AVomen’s Institutes to share the proceeds with the Association was expressed by the chairman. Mrs Curtis said the members realised that the Association would utilise the money to the general benefit of the town.

The arrangements for the assistance asked for were left to the president and secretary to confer with the Federation.

Mr Thomas, for the Beautifying Committee, said that all trees were growing well as a result of the rain. He recommended the more frequent cutting of grass oil the water tower reserve. Reserves generally were looking very well.