WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1920, Page 4

WHANGAREI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

BADLY HANDICAPPED.

(Contributed.)

At a general meeting of the 'above society held in the Town Hall superroom, Dr. Mcllraith, vice-president, was in the chair. There was only a smol? attendance of members*. Owiiig to frequent absence from the town Mr D. W. Miller tendered his resignation ns secretary. The society, which is under a great obligation to Mr Miller for the work and time ho has devoted to the society's affairs, expressed its reluctance to part with this energetic officer. As a temporary arrangement Mr E. C. M. Harington consented to carry out the duties of secretary. The society's funds were shown to be approaching exhaustion, with no immediate prospect of improving the position. In view of this condition of. affairs the society will be unable to continue the services of its gardener. The borough subsidy of £100 for the year has not assisted the operations of the society to the extent hoped for, owing to tho gardener being employed, while, under borough control, entirely in the public parks and reserves. This arrangement does not promote the real requirements of the society. Work already done on Government and private property requires to be maintained, but unfortunately the council will not permit the gardener to tend these plots while on the council pay-sheet. An expert gardener is thus employed in doing unskilled work in the parks which might, otherwise be done by the regular borough employees. The subsidy therefore is no direct benefit to the society. It is hoped that some means may yet be devised whereby the society and Borough Council can jointly assist in making the town and its environments more pleasing to the eye. Without the sympathetic help of tho Borough Council the society cannot hope to achieve its real objects. A sum of £135 has been raised by jthe society and expended in. the endeavour to beautify different parts of the town. It is not desirable to make continuous demands on the public, and unless the council can see its way to extend more real assistance the society may have to cease operations. This would be a great pity as good work has already been done. ■Some thirteen seats have been presented by public-spirited members to the great convenience of the public. | The society was unfortunate this year in losing many of its young plants, including a number of cuttings and seedlings stolen from the nursery, besides plants and flowers filched from 'the public places where they had been planted. . » It is hoped that the citizens will not allow the.Beautifying Society to perish for lack of support. The subscription was purposely fixed at 2s 6d so that everybody interested might become members. A public meeting will be convened after the holidays to decide whether the society can cany on. In reply to the secretary's enquiry regarding finance the following reply was received from the Hamilton Beautifying Society: — , c » "At the last meeting of the Beautifying Society a letter was read that you sent to Mr Hall. At present we have no printed reports. The committee is elected annually at a public meeting ! called for the purpose of receiving the annual report of the society. The Borough Council allocates £750 yearly for the work. This 'is.- spent usually ,on, maintenance work. .We raise from time to time various sums of money from carnivals, etc. This is devoted to new work. A foreman and two workmen are kept all the year round. Citi•zens donate plants, etc. .Thirty seats or more have been, given; these are distributed along the various walks. It is pleasing to learn that the work of the Hamilton Beautifying Society is appreciated outside."