TO DISBAND?

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 108, 8 May 1909, Page 5

TO DISBAND?

» . _ THE SCENERY PRESERVATION SOCIETY. RESULT OF APATHY. The committee of the Wellington Scenery Preservation and Tree Planting Society, in the report to be laid before the annual meeting on Monday, will state that "owing to the want of sympathy and support by the citizens, it has been decided to ask the annual meeting of members and subscribers to pass a resolution to terminate the existence of the society." At last year's meeting a motion to this effect was defeated by a narrow majority — as it was hoped that a canvass for donations and subscriptions by the new secretary (Mr. , Morris) and Mr. C. Monaghau would j be more successful than former efforts in this direction ; but some months' hard work only resulted in about £24 being collected. Mr. Morris resigned the secretaryship in Deceriiber. No fnrther amounts nave been received. In order to keep the present plantations in order, and to carry out further Planting on the Town Belt — the objects or which this society was formed— an increase of at least £100 is required, and as there seems no prospect of getting this, even with the annual subsidy granted by the City Council, it has been reluctantly decided to disband, and ask the corporation take over the plantations and nurseries at Roseneath. Leraud-street, Adelaide-road (2), Hargraves-street, and Church-street. The Mount Victoria Reserve was handed over to the corporation during the year, as the society had no funds to keep it in order. The society expended a fair amount of money on this reserve, and is glad to note that the few trees which survived the grass fires have benefitted by the gardeners' work. Owing to the favourable season all the reserves are looking well, and there are about 500 young trees in the nurseries ready to be planted out. "It is with extreme regret that your committee has decided they must abandon the very necessary work of trying to beautify the barren hills about the city, but it hopes that the City Council will carry on the good work of afforestation in a systematic manner. There is still an opportunity for citizens with more time at their disposal than your present committee to carry on the society's work. There will still be a small balance of cash in hand after paying sundry liabilities incurred since the balance-sheet was made up, and if the meeting decides to wind up the society it is prepared to hand this to the City Council." Any citizens wno are not members or subscribers are invited to attend the annual meeting.