SCENERY CONSERVATION SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 234, 2 October 1900, Page 3

SCENERY CONSERVATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Auckland Scenery Conservation Society was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The Rev. Dr. Purchas presided. There were also present Messrs Burtt, Churton, Hay.. Mackechnie, Morton, Paytpn, Beere, Hoit, Tibbs, Allom, and Professor Thomas.

Tree-pruning.—Mr W. Goldie (Superintendent of Parks under the City Council) was in attendance, and was asked to explain the system he was vising- with regard to tree-pruning.- Mr Goldie explained that with regard to the trees complained of the pruning had been adapted to necessity. His system of pruning was carried out with the idea of keeping the trees upright, and was as had been adopted with the Grey-street trees. Mr Tibbs moved: "That Mr GolThe mover said it was unfair to criticise the treatment of the trees in their present unfinished state. Mr Goldie had assured them that his treatment was precisely what he followed In the case of G.rey-street, and' that thte aveinue in Grey-street was such that no finer one would be found in a town the same age as Auckland. Mr Mackechnie seconded/ Further discussion followed upon the motion, which was ultimately lost, in favour of an amendment, "That the subject be adjourned until next meeting."

Resignation!—Mr J. H. Upton wrote resigning hia • seat on the committee. Dr. Humphrey Haines was elected to fill the vacancy.

Band Stand.—The Domains and Parks Committee in their report recommended that the site for the band stand in the Albert Park should be in a. line with the Queen's statue and fountain, and not less than 60ft from the path; that the tea-room should be separate from the band stand; that certain trees and shrubs should be removed from the. vicinity of the site; and that a greater and choicer variety of shrubs should be planted in certain positions. A letter was r<*ad from the Mayor of Auckland intimating that the superintendent of parks had been instructed to have certain trees removed,, and that the engineer would examine the proposed site for band stand. The committee's report was adopted.

Churton Memorial.—lt was decided to request the City Council to appoint a sub-committee to go into the matter of a suitable site for the Churton memorial.

Auckland Domain.—A letter was read from the Minister f6r Justice stating that the society's request that prison labour be employed in the Domain could not be granted. Mr A. J. Allom reported upon a visit paid to the Auckland Domain by Mr Beere and himself, for the purpose of Inspecting" the work recently done there by the City Council in removing certain imported trees, etc., towards which work the society had contributed £10, and of examining the native bush and forest trees planted' there many years ago. This report stated that the condition of the roads and tracks in the Domain was not creditable. They were almost impassable, and in wet or dry seasons only practicable at great inconvenience. It was resolved that the Domains and Parks Committee wait upon the Mayor with a view of discussing the continuance of the work of cutting down trees, in the Doniain, and also the matter of Domain finances.