BEAUTIFYING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 15

BEAUTIFYING IN CHRISTCHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

TREE PLANTING IN STREETS

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Beautifying Association was held las', night. Mr R. B. Owen presided. There was an attendance of 11, including six representatives of suburban burgesses* associations who were present by invitation, and who will be associate members of the association's executive in future.

The annual report stated that the association had had an active year. In addition to holding a successful garden competition the association had taken a keen interest in development work—the improvement to street lighting, the construction of weirs in the Avon river, the proposed removal of the destructor from the city, and the maintenance of the Cathedral grounds. The association had made no general appeal for funds, but it had been decided to make an appeal at an early date. Considerable attention had been given to a plan for the development of Greater Christchurch—an effort to secure land to provide a ring of parks round the city.

Good Work Done In moving the adoption of the annual report Mr Owen said that the planting of streets with flowering trees or shrubs on a set scheme was desirable, and he hoped the association would concentrate on having at least 1000 such trees and shrubs planted during the • next year. The financial statement showed that the association had a credit balance of £2 4s lid. Mr E. H. Andrews congratulated the association on its year's work. He mentioned especially work concerning tree planting and beautifying plots alongside railway lines. The association's work had been reduced in recent years because, greater responsibility for city beautifying had been taken by the City Council. He said that the association should be careful not to be inconsistent in its advocacy of tree planting on streets, because often trees in streets interfered with lighting. However, it was possible to select the most suitable types of trees for planting in streets suited to planting. Referring to the destructor, Mr Andrews said that because of difficult times it was not possible for the city to consider its removal at present. However, the City Council realised that the destructor would ultimately have to be removed. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr George Harper; president, Mr R. B. Owen; vice-presidents, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and Mr Irving Sladen; executive committee, Messrs H. L. Bowker, E H. Andrews, G. W. Bradley, E. Eggleston, F. L: Drury, J. O. Jameson, C. E. St. John, J. E. Yates, J. Sturrock, and H. Tillman; honorary secretary, Mr H. Tillman; honorary treasurer, Mr E. Eggleston.