WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYNG SOCIETY.

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1920, Page 4

WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYNG SOCIETY.

STEADY PROGRESS.

WORK IN HAND AND PRO- 1 JECTED. < Dr. Mcllraith, vice-president, pre- . sided fit the committee meeting held . on Tuesday evening at de Tourret's B.iildings. There were present: Messrs. Harington, J. Henderson, <L Mackie, L. Hanlon, T. L. Drummond, and David Miller Apologies were presented for the unavoidable ab.•••Hiicc of the president (Mr. S. J. I.ifCoanick) and Mr. Higgim-on, Rev. J. R. Clark and .vksdames Harington and Miller. TREE-GUARDS. Mr. Harington intimated that he had found difficulty in getting teatree guards, but had no under offei a supply of about 200 seven-feet poles from Otaika Road, at a cost of £2 15/ delivered. On the motion of Mr. Miller, seconded by Dr. Mcllraith, Mr. Harington was asked to arrange as to their delivery and use. It was understood that the poles would be tarred at the base. MEMORIAL TREES. ' It was explained that a special Ansae Memorial Tree (puriri) has been planted near the summit of Anzac Park by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. S. Dent). Towards the cost of the tree, special wire guard, and nameplate to be affixed, the children of l ue Hora Hora and Whangarei schools h td sum of £4 5/3. On the motion of Dr. Mcllraith, it w.is unanimously agreed to thank the teachers and pupils for their interest shown. The special memorial oak trees, each one representing a fallen soldier and having a plate inscribed with soldier's name and place of death, are being prepared for planting next season. Meanwhile the ground is being prepared by ploughing, etc., by the Anzac Park Joint Committee representing the Borough and 'County Councils. :-■•■; The secretary reported that Mr. J. M. Killen had kindly donated 200 oak trees,-about two feet in /height, which had been planted by the society's gardener in the nursery plot in Maunu Road. These trees were for the individualised planting next season. CHURCH OF'ENGLAND GROUND. The society's supervisor, Mr. L. Hanlon, reported that the triangle, j about 20 feet at the base and 48 feet j to the point, had been staked out, j and paths formed by the gardener. Messrs. J. E. Holmes, Rishworth and j Hanlon had promised to provide tha nine necessary punga stems for the pergola, and suitable rough and angular rocks had been promised by Mr. Palmer and others for the contemplated rockery. Mr. Harington notified that the site under review had, some years ago, been offered for the purposes of a war memorial, and that, if found necessary, the society should accommodate itself to the plan. f Dr. Mcllraith expressed the opinion that the beautification scheme should not be delayed, as there would be no difficulty in altering or adjusting as found necessary. The idea found general favour. PUKENUI KAURIS. A telegram from the Minister of Lands and a letter from the Forestry Department wer c read, stating that consideration would be given to representations for preservation of the Pukenui State Forest. The matter was not further discussed by the meeting. BOON TO TIRED PARENTS. The Rev. W. E. Lambert wrote enclosing a' .subscription, and urged the desirability of placing a seat at the corner of Dent and Bank Streets, which he considered would be a great boon to tired parents with little children. The meeting agreed that the position named was a good one > an( i was resolved to express thanks to Mr. Lambert, and endeavour to effect th e improvement. RUST LANE CORNER. To supply the need of waiting 'bus passengers at the corner of Rust Lane and Bank Street, it was decided to apply for permission t 0 place another seat in front of the bank.

The scheme decided upon to erect name-boards (in Maori and botani- , cally was reported by Mr Harington , to be definitely under way, the wood , being prepared. He stated that the , sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Hanlon, J. Mackie, and Mrs. A. R. Pickmere were meeting shortly to .arrange details. POST OFFICE BEAUTIFICATION. A letter from the head office of the Postal Department, per Mi\ Geo. Levy (the Whangarei Postmaster), was read as follows: —"This office is willing to recommend the Postmas-ter-General to authorise the payment of £lti, half the estimated cost of planting ilowers and shrubs and providing seats on the Post Office section at Whangarei, provided the Whangarei Scenery Preservation and Beautifying Society undertake to keep the ground in order. Please inform Mr.' D. W. Miller, seceretary of the society, accordingly, and ob tain his reply in writing.'". The secretary's action in giving such an undertaking was approved, and Mr Hanlon stated that the workwas being proceeded with as quickly as possible. Special shrubs had been ordered, and a beginning had beer, made; but th e weather and draining excavations were hindering full completion. It was mentioned that the grass seeds, manure, top-soil, certain plants and th e seats to be used had been donated by various citizens. COURT HOUSE AND RAILWAY. It was reported that the Justice Department had been approached with a view to co-operation in regard to a beautification scheme at the Court House. The suggestion of a few shrubs, flowers, rockery, and the provision of two seats was before the Department. Regret was expressed that a full beautification policy was not yet possible by the railway station owing to projected alterations of line and buildings. It was thought, however, that th e Department should be approached with regard to assistance in meeting the cost of the areas already planted with shrubs and flowers. • ■ ; GARDENER'S SUGGESTIONS A letter was read from the society's gardener, Mr George Smithers, containing four specific suggestions in addition to a statement that he needed a large number of plants for immediate planting. The need of boards or concrete to keep the soil from slipping on the outer edge of the railway triangle, was urged. It was decided to approach the Borough Council with a j recommendation that the improve ment be effected. LOAN OF SHED The gardener intimated that a shed was necessary to store tools, transport seedlings, cuttings, etc., and for utilisation on wet days for making rustic seats. Mr Harington offered a shed on his property for the purpose, and the offer was warmly accepted. Mr Drummond promised boxes for seedraising. PROPAGATING GLASS-HOUSE Th e third suggestion of the gardener was that a glass-house, or one or two cold frames should be provided, and the urgency of some such means of raising seedlings was specially stressed in order to "make a show of flowers.'' ( Mr Hanlon believed that a heated . propagating house was desirable, - and he mentioned that there was a ' possibility of obtaining the use of j half a house of that nature. By full approval the matter was left to Mr Hanlon to arrange. CENTRAL AVENUE The gardener deemed Central , Avenue very suitable for tree planti ing, and recommended -that the matr ter be taken in hand tins season. After some discussion as to the [ most desirable trees, 'subject to the , consent of the Borough Council and the approval of the engineer, it was agreed to plant, on either side of the - avenue, plane and English birch trees , alternately.

FINANCES Amounts to the value of £40 7s 6d were passed for payment, the largest amount being for £38 for garden seats and name-plates from the Engineering Company. After meeting all liabilities as above, a balance of £21 was recorded, plus amounts due from the Postal Department, seat donors, and the Whangarei Harbour Board, of a total value of £33. BEAUTIFYING RAILWAY STATION An idea was broached as to placing a number of photographs -of typical beauty spots, rockeries, gardens, etc, in th e various railway stations of the district. It was pointed out. that much might be done in that way to foster both scenic preservation and keenness in creating aspects of garden and town attractiveness. The notion was to place a frame containing a collection of such pictures with brief wording setting forth the society's objectives, in the waiting room of each station. While commending the idea, It was felt that the immediate work should be to press on treeplanting. Th c subject introduced the further scheme of beautification observed in railway stations in southern centres by cultivated gardens, banks, and sidings. It was hoped to co-operate in such work at a later period. SPECIAL TREE FOR TRIANGLE The planting of a special tree of a light foliage for the apex of the Rose Street triangle, facing Bank Street, was favoured, and the suggestion of Mr Hanlon was agreed to heartily, subject to the Council's consent.. BRIDGE FOR DOBBIE PARK Mr Drummond raised the matter of a light passenger suspension bridge across the stream in Mair Park to Dobbie Park. The matter had been discussed several times, but no action had transpired. The secretary stated that a sub-committee of the Swimming Club and Beautifying Society had been set up to push the idea but it was understood that the Borough Council had the matter in hand and would soon erect such a bridge Mr Drummond remarked .on the splendid treasures of Dobbie Park being prac--tically inaccessible owing to the absence of a bridge. He was making inquiries at the suggestion of the Mayor, and it was decided to write to i the Council when details wer c to hand. Th e bridge projected was one about 4 feet six inches in width to be erected where the stream was narrow and above any danger of flood. RAISING REVENUE Various matters were touched upon as likely to add to the society's finances and these will receive detailed consideration at a later meeting. Ideas mooted included concert, operetta, pantomime, art exhibition and fete.

Thanks to the chair concluded a harmonious meeting.

NAMING TREES,