MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 January 1939, Page 2

MOTUEKA

CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL I From Our Own Correspondent! At a public meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr R. J. L. York) and held in the Motueka Council Chambers, last evening, for the purpose of discussing the question of a local centennial memorial there were present Councillors W. Egint.on, T. B. Stevens, T. Hickmott, S. E. Hulbert, and Messrs J. A. McGlashen, W. M. Thomas, W. Bridle, H. Manoy, and H. Ward. The Mayor, in explaining the object of the meeting, said it had been called with a view to making certain suggestions as to the form the local centennial memorial should take. Each province had its own centennial committee, the headquarters of the local organisation being in Nelson. A certain amount of money had been granted by the Government to each district; the Nelson Province on a population basis of 29,000 had been allotted approximately £3,700. The Provincial Committee had some form of major memorial in view, but, owing to Nelson’s own centennial falling due in 1942 he thought probably that this particular memorial would be erected then. BEAUTIFICATION OF TOWN The Government, however, was anxious that each small town should have some memorial of its own in the way of beautifying parks, laying out avenues of trees etc, but would not grant money to be spent on stone or similar memorials. The Mayor pointed out that any application going from Motueka for a grant must first go to the Nelson Centennial Committee for approval. BOROUGH DOMAIN [ There were one or two areas in Motueka that should be beautified and he knew of no better place than the Borough Domain, which contained plenty of land but owing to storms the trees had not had a fair spin. The name domain he thought could be altered to a name to suit the occasion. the area could be improved at not too great a cost, as far as Motueka was concerned. He pointed out to the meeting that the Government would make no grant on borrowed money. AVENUE OF TREES Another section of the town the Mayor thought that could be beautified was Vosper Street and Saxon Street, which could be connected by the formation of five chains of road. These streets were a chain in width and, when improved and planted with an avenue of small ornamental trees could be named Centennial Avenue. Yet another spot for beautifying was Fearon Street, leading from High Street to the Domain. These, he said, were only suggestions for the consideration of the meeting. In regard to Fearon Street residents could be invited to donate trees in memory of the settlers. Each tree could be fenced and upon it affixed a brass plate naming the early settler in whose memory the tree had been planted. Mr McGlashen did not entirely agree with the idea of planting trees along the streets as he had seen many beautiful trees planted years ago, cut down of necessity in recent times, and that the same thing might happen again. He supporte I the planting of trees in the Domain, preferably native trees. In a borough like Motueka he considered it unwise to go in for avenues cf trees The Mayor said he did not suggest blue gumß, as had been planted in Fearon Street, and later cut down, but ornamentals such as flowering cherry, palms etc. Mr Manoy was of the opinion that the council would not have sufficient money to keep an avenue of trees neat and tidy as they should be kept Councillor Hickmott agreed with Mr Manoy on this point. Councillor Eginton said he would like to see the approaches to the Domain improved in the way of concrete walls and suitable entrance gates.

Mr Thomas suggested the planting of flowers in conjunction with trees at the Domain and instanced the Domain at Hawera, as a case in point, which had been laid out in this way. The Mayor stated that less money had been spent in Motueka on beatuifying public parks etc., than in any other town of similar size in New Zealand. Councillor Eginton suggested that a price be obtained for concrete approach and walls at the entrance to the Domain and for suitable gates. The Mayor thought that there should be some proper lay out inside the entrance in the way of flower plots. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL On the motion of Councillor Hulbert and Mr Manoy it was decided that it be a recommendation to the council to beautify the Domain, erect gates at the entrance, and plant an avenue of trees in Fearon Street, from High Street to the entrance to the Domain, and that the Domain be renamed Centennial Park. The Mayor thought that the other suggestions for the laying out of Vosper and Saxon Streets into one street, which

would connect with Fearon Street at the entrance to the Domain, could be undertaken in connection with the Nelson centennial in 1942.

The Mayor intimated that a further public meeting would be called later to discuss centennial celebrations. The recommendations decided upon that evening would come before the Borough Council for consideration at next Tuesday’s meeting. If approved by the council plans and estimates would be prepared and forwarded to the Provincial Centennial Committee With the complete co-operation and support of the people of Motueka the committee could, the Mayor said, put into effect the recommendations of the meeting DATA FOR EARLY SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION The Mayor intimated that the Early Settlers* Association was desirous of obtaining all possible data, from early settlers, of the history of the district, and asked those present to accord their help b/ furnishing names of old residents, who were likely to give information or had old photographs and drawings of interest to the association. A vote of thanks to the Mayor for convening the meeting terminated the proceedings