CITY AMENITIES

Evening Star, Issue 19857, 4 May 1928, Page 3

CITY AMENITIES

SOCIETY'S COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITIES * lack OF SUPPORT DEPRECATED ' “The city owes a considerable debt of. gratitude to the Dunedin Amenities and Town Planning Society,” said the mayor (Sir W- B. Taverner) at 'the annual meeting of the society held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. “ Organisations of this nfiture are invaluable from a civic point of view. The committees of the council arc appreciative of suggestions from them, and it is only quite right that they should exist.” ■ The Chairman (Air Crosby Morris), in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, referred in detail to the activities of the society during the past year. A now procedure had been instituted in that the committee had met on Saturday afternoons and conducted tours of inspection in various parts of the city. It was to ho hoped that this would be continued in the future. The principal work of the year was the planting of deciduous trees in the Town Belt near Maitland street, from the slope lo almost the top of the hill, and a very fine effect would bo obtained in a few years’ time. The work done in the Town Belt behind the Boys’ High School some thirty years ago was a striking illustration of tho results achieved in this direction. Another very valuable work effected—and the society had to thank tho City Corporation for this—was in the vicinity of the Robin Hood quarry. It had been found that a great deal of land was covered with gorsc and broom, and this had been cleared. A largo number of deciduous ash trees had been planted, and there was more to be done yet in improving tho vicinity. Certain remarks had been made to the effect that trees interrupted the view from Egl inton road, and Air Morris stated that the bulk of tho trees were on_n lower level, and did not interfere with the view. Nothing should be done which would spoil the lovely views from tho heights of the city. At the last annua! meeting the Hon. G. Af. Thomson had suggested interesting children in the work of the society ._ Litflo had been done in that direction. Tho pupils of the Arthur Street School had promised to keep the grass cut and the flower beds in order near the monument. _ The funds of tho society were still in the unsatisfactory position they had been in for many 'years. The society only received subscriptions from 160 members, which amounted to £72 4s, and this, with the addition of donations and a small interest, comprised the total income of tho society. It could be quite understood how difficult it was to carry on the work under these conditions. and the chairman hoped that the citizens would help in some material way. AVith reference to 1 the untidiness in streets, there was no doubt that tram tickets and cigarette cases, etc., were the principal trouble. Tbero was a bylaw relative to this matter, but tho best thing to do was to endeavour to got the citizens to understand the necessity of keeping tho streets as tidy as possible. Afr Morris concluded with a reference to tho motor car signposts erected in the city. It was necessary for motorists to know where tho parking areas were, but ho did think that these signs could ho more artistic than they were at present.

Tlio Hon. G. M. Thomson seconded the motion, and urged tho necessity of school children being educated in tho matter of keeping the streets tidy; In Sydney an excellent plan had hoen adopted. Tf anyone dropped a tram ticket in the streets he or she would bo immediately stopped and requested to placo it in a receptacle provided for that purpose. The speaker expressed gratification that both St. Clair and St. Kilda had inaugurated organisations of their own. and hoped that the other suburban districts would act in a similar manner. He suggested that some areas should bo reserved for tho planting of native trees. There was a little patch of native trees at tho top of High street which was very beautiful indeed. The citizens would undoubtedly approve of this principle. Mr Thomson paid a tribute to tho excellent, work of the Reserves Committee and Mr Tannock ill improving tho city. The Mayor said that he would like to add a few words of encouragement. He was glad that Mr Thomson had drawn attention to tho'matter of the planting of native trees in tho city, and thought that something could he done. The City Council had considered the matter at various times. Tho native frees had a particular beatify of their own which should appeal to tho artistic sense of residents. Mr Taverner suggested that tho society should do more in fhe way of publicity than it had been doing, and bring its activities before tho public in a. more material form.

Tho report was adopted. OFFICE-BEAR MRS

The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President. Air Crosby iMorris (re-elected) ; vice-president, Mr C. P. 7\f. Butterworth (re-elected): committee—Messrs .1. Bennie, J. L. Salmoml, and C. W. Chamberlain (rc-elected); hon. treasuercr, Dir A. W. M. Aloodio (reelected); hon. secretary, Mr John Ash (ro-e’ceted).