WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Northern Advocate, 19 January 1920, Page 2

WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND DEVE-

LOPMENTS

SUSTAINED INTEREST

There was a meeting held of the general committee of the Beautifying Society at the supper room on Friday evening. Mr S, J. McCormick, the president, was in the chair, and there were also present Rev. G. W. Lochore, Messrs D. W. Jack, A. Price L. Hanlon, H. C. Rishworth, D. W. Miller, R. C. M. Harington, F. C. Denz, T. L. Drummond_ Dr. Mcllraith, Mesdames A. R. Pick'mere, Haring-ton, Steadman, and D. W. Miller.

The minutes having been read, and several small items dealt with, the special place for four of the recently purchased garden seats was determined.

NEW SEATS

A sample seat entirely of wood was ordered from Mr H. G. Foster, it being understood that if such was satisfactory more would be needed for several places in the town.

It was notified that inquiries were on foot as to other pattern public seats and iron tree protectors.

FLOWER DAY

Mrs Harington referred to the special flower day in November remark-

ing that they had had several most willing workers, and £16 was collected for the society. Regret was expressed that there was not a larger response to the appeal for gifts of flowers and produce.

On the motion of the chairman, a most hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies for their much appreciated assistance.

CHILDREN'S OPERETTA

The secretary reported that even after the heavy expenses of advertising, printing, and hall hire, there was a net profit of nearly £100. Moreover the children concerned had had a most happy time preparing for t and during the two night performances in the town hall.

Mr S. J. McCormick expressed plea, sure at the marvellous result, and a spirited vote of thanks to Mrs D. W. Miller and her many eager helpers was carried by acclamation.

SUPERVISOR

Mr H. Weaver, the supervisor of the society's gardener, sent a verbal message of regret at his enforced ab-

sence.

GARDENER'S REPORT

This referred in detail to the work accomplished at the Triangle, the two plots prepared and planted with flowers by the railway station, and the long stretch five feet wide by the railway fence facing the Triangle which had Ibeen prepared for plant-

BRIDGE TO DOBBIE'S PARK

Keen interest was shown in the suggestion to open up the 100 odd acres of Dobbie's Park to the people by a bridge across the creek at Mair Park. There was no doubt as to the unanimous opinion that this beauty spot should be speedily brought with, in range; and an equally emphatic opinion was general that any bridge erected should be in keeping with the surroundings and made a "thing of beauty."

Mr Jack moved that steps be immediately taken to get an estimate of the cost.

Mr Harington seconded the motion, stressing the importance of beauty also.

Mr Rishworth suggested that such an undertaking was essentially a borough work and he recommended deferring the matter until the Parks Committee and the Swimming Club had been approached.

Dr. Mcllraith thought that it would be advisable to get the Borough Coun. cil to beautify the stream by the convenient bridge. He felt reluctant about spending £100 of the society's funds in that way. There was special need for beautification in and around the town proper.

Rev. G. W. Lochore thought that the cost of the bridge would be too heavy, although the scheme was very desirable.

Mr McCormick thought that other bodies should be consulted.

The motion was ultimately amended and unanimously agreed to, by the addition of the words "after consultation with the Swimming Club and Parks Committee." Mr Jack considered that the Beautifying Society should have an income of five or six hundred a year, and that a bigger Borough Council subsidy was necessary. At Mr Hanlon's suggestion it was agreed that the matter of the approach to Mair Park should be considered at -the same time. STREET PLANTING. The matter of planting trees in the borough streets was discussed informally, itlbeitig , understood that the engineer, Mr Darlington Whitmore, is engaged in preparing a list of streets and suitable trees for the purpose. PICTURE BENEFIT. It was resolved to thank the management of the Britannia Theatre for their promise of a benefit perform ance and to ask for definite suggestion as to date and terms in writing. RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENT. A letter was read from Mr J. L. Richardson re the right of way between the town Hall and the Presbyterian Church. He agreed to donate the sum of £20 towards beautifying the bank after the necessary excavation is finished, provided the work is completed within thrcp months. Messrs McCormick .uul Harington were appointed to confer with the persons -concerned,