AMENITIES SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 18281, 22 May 1923, Page 10

AMENITIES SOCIETY

COMMITTEE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the committee of tho Amenities Society was held yesterday afternoon, Mr A. Bathgate in tire chair. Before commencing tho business of the meeting the Chairman mentioned that the society s treasurer (Mr David Crawford) was in ill-health, and it, was decided—- “ That this meeting sincerely- sympathises with Air Crawford in his severe illness, and trusts that he may soon bo restored to health.” GENERAL. Mr 0. Balk wrote asking the society to do something to beautify tho road through the Town Belt from Driver's road, Maori Hill.—Tho request was referred to the sub-committce for consideration. . , A letter was received from the Maori Hill Amenities Society asking for affiliation.—Tho chairman and the secretary (Mr J. Ash) were appointed to confer, with the Maori Hill Society and to report to next meeting. A circular was received from the Expansion League and Chamber of Commerce asking the society to appoint delegates to attend a deputation to the Prime Minister asking for a new post office.—The Hon. G. M. Thomson and Mr Chamberlain were appointed. Messrs Morns, J. M'George, Rennie, and Begg were appointed a sub-committee to draw up a programme of work for the year. The secretary was instructed to write to the City Council asking permission to start tree planting in Cumberland street. The Chairman said that the planting was to be done between Rattray street and Anderson Bay road, and the trees had already been bought with the Smenton bequest, and would be known as the Smeaton avenue. Mr Morris gave notice of motion—- “ That the city bo divided into blocks, and that one or more members of the committee be appointed to each block.” Tho resignation of the Rev. Graham Balfour was received with regret. LAKE LOGAN AREA. Tho Chairman stated that he had drafted the following letter to tho Albany Street School Committee " Tho committee of this society has learned with regret that your committee has refused to entertain the proposal that yo-.i should select an area of tho Harbor Board endowment on the city’side of Union streetin lieu of the site on the Lake Logan reclamation which the board undertook to give in exchange for the Albany Street School site. My committee is strongly of opinion that the cutting off of an area of eight acres on tho Union street frontage of the Lake Logan reclamation would be prejudicial to the usefulness and beauty of the park, which it is expected the Lake Logan reclamation will ultimately become. It is understood that tho reason actuating your committee, is that the position on the inner side of Hake Logan would bo better sheltered from the harbor wind. That may be so, but more effectual shelter could he attained by planting, and I am instructed by my committee to say that if a site be selected on the city side of Union street the society will be prepared to lend substantial assistance in the work of planting a shelter belt. Whether the exhibition is located on the Lake Logan area or not, it must bo two or three years before it will be available for the erection of your new school, but probably the area required by you would bo sooner available on the city side of Union street. My committee is ‘of opinion that the best, trees for the purpooa would be one of tho native beeches or birches, with a native shrub for undergrowth, and if your committee, will agree to the proposal steps could be taken at once to procure tho.plants, winch could bo grown in a nursery for a jear or two, and I have no doubt Mr Tafnc.wk will be quite willing It advise as to the best kinds to ho obtained and r.ve for Ihem until they are required. I may point out that witli an area of eight acres the space required for the their.’ belt would not appreciably lessen rhe area, and. that such a belt would nut merely soon afford the desired shelter, hut would form a pleasing feature in rhe locality." The letter was approved.