NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1924, Page 20

NELSON NEWS

ROCK GARDENING (FBOII OCtt OWN CORRESPONDENT.) NELSON, 17th June. At a meeting held on 7th June it was decided to form a Rock Garden Society for Nelson. The meeting was held in the beautiful grounds of the Nelson Bowling Club, where several rockeries have been made, and with permission"of the Nelson Bowling Club, the headquarters and nurseries for new plants will bo situated. The membership was over thirty in a week, but it is expected that it will be stronger in a few weeks. The objecte of the society are as follow:—(a) Xo give advice in making of rockeries and choosing plants; (b) to approach City Council lor permission to build a model rockery on one of the slopes of Church Hill; (c) to procure rare plants from all parts of the world, the members to secure as plants grow, viz., when parent plant grows sufficiently to enable dividing. To those who have seen even the Rock Gardens at Dunedin know what a great feature of interest they are. At an adjourned meeting on "the 14th instant, a largo number of influential ladies and gentlemen attended, and all were high in their praises of the new greens and the movement in hand. Sixty members were elected, and the following officers were appointed:—Mr. T. A. Harkness, Mrs Percy Adams, and ?f rS\ R' • Bl Jacks °n, patrons; Mrs. M. M. Moncrief, president; Mr. A. E. Tasker and Mi\ W. C. Davies, vicepresidents; Mr. A. Wilkinson, hon. secretary and treasurer. A strong committee of twelve ladies and gentlemen was also elected. The convener of Ihe movement, Mr. A. Wilkinson, fully explained the objects of the society, which were: —(a) To assist members with advice in making rockeries; (b) to procure the right kind of rock; (c) to procure plants from all.parts of tho world, and as they grow the members would partake in division of same; (d) to make a model rockery on slope of Church Hill and plant. The society is fortunate in getting the assistance of suck useful men as Messrs. F. G. Gibbs, A. E. Tasker, W. C. Davies, and others, and Mrs. Moncrief as president. It is hoped to have a rockery formed to plant New Zealand plants, also to get colleges interested, as it would be an education to the boys and girls. The Mental Hospital _is now making a fine rockery, and residents are getting keen.

A public meeting is to be held in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, when the Cawthron Will and Private Bill will be discussed. The present trustees are invited to attend, and reasonable time will be allowed for a. statement of their" case. The^ Mayor, Mr. W. Lock., will preside. Tho speakers advertised are the Mayor, Councillor Moffalt (City Council), Councillor Macmahon (Waimea County Council), and Mr. Harry Atniore, M.P. for Nelson. As this matter is a very live question here just now, a very large attendance is expected. For failing to eradicate orchard pests, an orchardist was to-day fined £2 10s on each of four charges and costs-7s. At a meeting of the A. and P. Association members generally supported a proposal that three motor-cycle races be included in the programme on People's Day, and tlio recommendation was agreed to subject to arrangement with racing clubs.

Reporting to yesterday's meeting of the Nelson Education Board, the secretary, Mr. H. J. Thornton, stated that in company with the board's architect he visited Shelbounie Street and Nelson Boys' Schools on 4th June and inquired from pupils in each classroom as to the nearest schools to t'^fir homes when the new school ia esta^.islied ai Auckland Point, Shelbourne Street closed, *x 1 Nelson Boys' converted to a miied school. _ Of tlio children present it was ascertained that the following numbers would attend the various schools: Auckland Point, 250 Izom Haven road, 75 from Shelbourne Street, 101 from Nelson Boys', and 30 from Tahuna (estimated); total 456. Nelson Boys', 158. from Nelson Boys', IS4 from Shelbourr.e Street; total 352. A number of boys from the Central, preferring to continue at Iheir present school, stated they would attend there, but when the now building is up at Auckland- Point will find they live nearer that school. From these figures it would appear that tlio board should proceed with plans for the erection of a building to accommodate EGO ■ children at Auckland Point. It was decided that the architect (Mr. I/caper) be instructed to prepare plans for a school at Auckland Point accommedat-. ing 50C> pupils. The chairman of the Education- Board, Mr. F. W. 0. Smith, said ho had seen the Benariraent regarding the grant for ihe Envaka iSTaool, anU he had reason to believe it would be available ut next meeting. In future the names of the various schools are to .be painted on all the schools in tho education district. Mr. W. Rogers, manager of the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., sustained a nasty fall on Saturday afternoon while working at his heme, and will be confined to his bed for several days.