ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 25440, 22 March 1945, Page 3

ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS

SEVERAL MAJOR PROPOSALS MEETING OF LOCAL SOCIETY Since 1928 the St. Clair Improvement Association has paid out more than £2,000 for various improvements and amenities, the most important granted being for the surf bathing pavilion £1,244, the baths £132 10s, the wall £SO, the clock £l2, the football grounds £SO, seats £3O 15s, the boat shed £SO, the surf boat £6O, the Lawn Tennis Club £BO, the playground £295 10s, the Surf Club £65, and the beach patrol £75 10s. The association's assets, reported tho treasurer (Mr H. H. Henderson), at the annual meeting last night, now represented! more than £6OO. In his annual report the president (Mr E. Falck). referred to the City .Council's, apparent neglect of the St. Clair playground. The state of the ground, he said, was deplorable, and it was sad to see the city's most popular playground neglected in this way. Anyone visiting St. Clair and seeing the state of the children's playing area in wet weather must gain the impression that St. Clair was the most backward place in New Zealand. "The tramways derive an immense amount of revenue from the crowd's that come to St. Clair," Mr Falck added, " and it is unfortunate that this ground should he overlooked." It was decided to approach the City Council with a view to improving the matters mentioned by Mr Fa lob. "The President referred to the action which the City Council had taken regarding iron standards on the esplan ade and in improving the wire nettingThis work, he said, was appreciated. Regarding future proposals, he suggested that the public hall be erected, and he thought that the top of the surf club building would appeal. He also suggested the construction of a sound shell. PROJECTS SUGGESTED. The association should take up the question of new improvements, said Mr Henderson, in seconding the motion for the adoption of the report. He suggested another story to the pavilion for use as a club room or hall. Extending the esplanade, he said, would make available a much-needed area for the parking of cars. The piles which were now standing up in the sand should be removed, as they were not only unsightly, but were dangerous, as had been shown on a recent occasion when a girl had been washed ashore and badly bruised by striking a post. The most far-reaching suggestion, however, was that of constructing a mole out from a point near the baths, with the object of breaking the current and thus building up a sandy beach. After discussing the proposals made by Mr Henderson and other suggestions, the members decided to refer the matters to the incoming committee On the subject of the erection of a | hall; it was mentioned' that several other organisations already had this matter in view, and it was decided to call a meeting of interested parties to consider a joint proposal. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following officers were elected : President, Mr Falck; vice-presidents, Mr M. A. Robson and Mr S. Owens; secretary, Mr F. L. McFarlane; treasurer, Mr Henderson; auditor, Mr R. Crooks ; committee—Messrs R. Crooks, J. W. Booker, B. Simonsen, N. D. Anderson, E'. Ruhen, H. D. Gillies, and J. Starr. , "... ;.;