ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 12

ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION CARNIVAL PROPOSED THIS SEASON The annual meeting of the St. Clair Improvement Association last night decided to recommend the incoming executive to hold a carnival this year it satisfactory arrangements could be made regarding lighting and other details. Satisfaction was expressed that the Ocean Beach Domain Board bad decided to continue the esplanade for six and a-half chains along the front of the surf bathing pavilion, and the hope was expressed that before long the esplanade would be continued from its other end towards the baths. The meeting was held in the surf bathing pavilion, Mr R. Love presiding. In moving the adoption of the annual report the Chairman said that the executive last year decided not to bold a carnival because of adverse cirrcuinstnnces and other difficulties. One of the difficulties was that, while the City Corporation bad on other occasions generously assisted with lighting, it had not been able to grant the usual concessions last year. As the lighting would have meant a considerable outlay for the association, it was decided that the results would not justify the expenditure. Through the carnival not being held their finances had remained more or less stationary. To the school committee £SO had been granted towards the formation of the sports ground on the domain, £7 17s 7d was expended on Beach Day, and £1 14s 6d went to general expenses, there remaining a credit balance of £149 6s 7d. The balance had been put out on deposit, and this, together with £SO representing tho value of the association’s plant, made the total assets £199 6s 7d. In the circumstances the results were very satisfactory. The chairman of the school committee had asked him to express thanks to the association for the generous donation of. £SO made by the association to enable the construction of tlie recreation ground to be undertaken. That ground was nearing completion, and it was hoped the boys would be able to use it for football next winter. There was also a smaller area which would be made into a girls’ hockey ground. The ground would supply a long-felt need in the district. Referring to membership, Mr Love said it seemed rather a pity that in a district like St. Clair the amount received in subscriptions should be only £7 17s. The subscription was only 2s 6d, and it was hoped there would be a large increase in membership during the coming year. The Chairman referred to the opportunities for beautifying the Bedford street pavilion and other spots about the beach. Several requests to the City Council and the Ocean Beach Domain Board had met with a very good response, and the association was indebted to these two bodies. The Domain Board had now decided to put in hand the work of extending the esplanade, and it was expected that a start would be mg.de almost immediately. A reply bad been received from tho City Council in regard to the request made to extend the esplanade near the baths. The matter had been held over meanwhile, but would come up for consideration when the council’s allocations for next year were being considered. Reference was made to the work done by the late president, Mr F. O. Bridgeman, and Mr Armitage, during their term of office on the executive of the association, and regret was expressed that these two gentlemen had now been compelled to suspend their activities witli the association. The Chairman referred to the necessity for a public hall in the St. Clair district. At present, he said, there was not a hall large enough to hold social functions and meetings. He thought there was also need for a more sheltered position for the band rotunda, as the present one was often untenable owing to the prevailing winds. The question of a paddling pool for children had been considered by the executive. An estimate of the cost had been obtained, but there was difficulty in deciding upon the proper location. - There was room for improving the appearance of the vicinity of the baths. Mr J. R. Callender seconded the motion. He said tho executive had put a number of matters before the City Council and the Tramways Department during the year, and had always received fair treatment. Mr L. A. Rhodes suggested that the association should concern itself not only with beautifying the vicinity of the beach, hut with the improvement of roads and other matters in the district. He pointed out that street widening had been carried out in Maori Hill, Highgate, and Mornington, and considered that something of the kind might be done in Forbury road. Ho supported the contention of the chairman that a hall was needed in St. Clair. The Chairman pointed out that the association was not considered as a ratepayers’ association. He could not speak with authority, but he thought

it had been the policy of the association to confine itself to matters more or less connected with the beach.

The Secretary said the association had always adopted the attitude that jt was more concerned with approaching the council in regard to matters pertaining to the beach and its immediate surroundings. The Chairman said he was pleased the question had been brought up. Even if such had been the policy of the association in the past, that was no reason why it should not be altered. Much might be said for Mr Rhodes’s contention. It was probably a mistake to confine the activities solely to the beach. Mr J. M’Eonald said he thought it would be a great mistake if the association set itself up as a ratepayers’ association. The report was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. Office-bearers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr F. O. Bridgeman; president, Mr R. Love; vice-presi-dents, Messrs J. W. Thomson and J. R. Callender; committee—Messrs J. Lowry, M. T. Sounness, L. A. Rhodes, J. M‘Donald, A. Johnston, D. Buchanan, and E. N. Falck; honorary treasurer, Mr H. H. Henderson; honorary solicitor, Mr J. W. Thomson; honorary secretary, Mr H. E. Lyon; and honorary auditor, Mr P. J. Priest. BEACH CARNIVAL. The Chairman said he would like an expression of opinion , as to whether a carnival should be held this season, even if it were on a smaller scale than before. , There was some discussion on the subject, and generally it was considered that a carnival should be held if the executive could make satisfactory arrangements regarding lighting and other details. On the motion of Mr Fletcher it was decided that it be a recommendation to the incoming executive to hold a carnival this year. MEMBERSHIP. It was decided that an effort be made by those present to increase the membership of the association.