SCENERY PRESERVATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 142, 10 March 1908, Page 10

SCENERY PRESERVATION

1 - -..'...i.-'.; 0-—:'o I ANNUAL MEETING OP THE SOCIETY. \ ; Tho twelfth' annua] general meeting of the 1 Wellington Scenery Preservation Society was ' held ' last' night.' Mr.. TV*.' L.. Meek .(president)occ.u'pied^the. chair, and the following were' also present':—Messrs. F..M. B/Fisher, M.P., and J. 6. . Harkness (vice-presidents) and Messrs., G. "Wright, C. 'iUonaghau,;C. E. Adams, D. P., A. Hurley, J. P: : Luko, and T. Ward. • \ ; • The Chairman, in moving the adoption of tho annual report (which lias, already been published) remarked that the Society, which had been in existence twelve years, "had had a somowhat chequered career. 'At first : very little interest was taken in. tlio' Society by citizens generally, and, members thought, by the City Coimcil. If tho Society, had dono nothing else it could take credit for having aroused a certain amount of public interost in such important work as scenery preservation and beautifying the. city. /Latterly tho City Council hpd' shown much greater interost ■in tho Society's .work. Tho annual subscription for members was only 2s. 6d., but difficulty was experienced in obtaining the services of someone to canvass .for subscribers. .A glance at; tho .balance-sheet showed that therb was a credit balanco Sf £2 13s. lid., which, ! however) had since become due to tlis ifardanpr.' ■.

Mr. Joslin seconded the motion, which was tarried unanimously. / The Chairman thoii stated that' it had been proposed to wind up tho Society,- and iiand ; over the., various- reserves under its;, control to tho City Council. A considerable amount of tho Society's funds went to provide fencing - and to'meet the cost of destroying gorso': and keo'ping down grass about tho trees: .' Not-' withstanding the dryness of the season and tho prevalence of gorso and grass fires', very .little daniago l had .been done by fifo in thereserves under tho oontrol of the Society. In his' opinion, tho citizens, and- especially/tho wealthier ones, did not Hake as much interest in. ; the Society as they might. . It was a matter for rc-grot that tlio' secretary (Mr. F.'A. Allen) was .prevented by pressure of business from continuing to act. _ Mr. J. P. Luko said ho was sorry to hear it suggested that the Society should be disbanded. Tile institution had; he .thought, done a considerable amount or useful work, and, in addition, had aroused public interest in the wort of beautifying .the. reserves in and about the-city. Tho City Council had. already spoilt .considerable sums on improvetlio various parks and roserves. It was his opinion that tho Society should not disband for a year or two- at any. rate. Tho Count il had-, threatened to .cancel tho leases: of, tenants who did not keep down gorso on tho portions of the Town Belt leased by them. If the Council were compelled to do so, it would, lie felt sure, allocate a sufficient sum to eradicate the gorse on the ■ properties. Afterwards the growth-of tho plants could be checked by grazing sheep , there. : Then, again, numbers of adjacent property-holders throw rubbish of all kinds on to the roserves. He; felt .that the Society'had attempted to. do' too much; it should, concentrate its attention on a much, smaller area.' ; Mr. Hurley, who was opposed to the proposed disbandinent of the Society, ■ affirmed that tho Society ought to be treated much more liberally by the City Council. In a bleak place like Wellington a society such as theirs was badly needed. . The -improvements made so far were mere scratches hero and there. He thought the City Council might be asked to contribute at least £150 annually towards tho funds of tho Society. Of the £2500 expended, last year by tho Council on parks arid reserves only £35/ had been allocated to their institution. Mr. Luke Tho Council are; spending, between £4000 and £5000! this'year'. . ' i Mr. Hurley, in conclusion, stated that the. Society had had great diflpcujty in obtaining 7 oven the small amount mentioned by. him! ' Mr. Wright, who has been office-bearer of; tho Society since its . inception, opposed thej proposal to disband. What was wanted most: wero' tho services of an enthusiastic gentleman to act as secretary in place of 'Mr. ' Allen,' whom pressure of business reluctantly compelled to relinquish tho position. If the Socioty could not continue as at present it should take up tlio; position of Advisory Board to the Council.' Mr. Fisher, M.P., felt that a majority of the members of tho Council were favourable to tho'granting of a larger sum annually to tho Society. Ho moved :— . / "That the meeting be adjourned to a ; date to bo fixed by the president, and that, in tho meantime, a deputation wait , on the Council with a view of obtaining a f larger 'grant, and that .steps bo i taken to secure tho services of an lion, secretary." ' '' ' ' '" The'motion, which was "seconded by Mr. Harknoss, was carried unanimously, and tlio mooting was adjourned. I