AMENITIES SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23592, 31 August 1938, Page 14

AMENITIES SOCIETY

MEETING OF COMMITTEE A meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Amenities Society was held yesterday afternoon, the following members being present:—Dr C. E. Hercus, Messrs John • Ash, J. McGeorge, J. Scott Thomson, D. Tannock, R. Fountain, S. P. Cameron, and the honorary secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron). In the absence of the president (Mr Crosby Morris), Mr Ash was voted to the chair. Mr Tannock was congratulated upon the recovery from his recent illness. Royal Crescent, Musselburgh The secretary reported that, after conferring with the society, the local Residents' Committee had purchased 60 large prunus trees in Christchurch, and these had now been planted. A grant of £5 had been made for this purpose. The Sub-committee (Messrs G. Simpson and R. Fountain) were instructed to confer with Mr Warrington Taylor and his committee regarding the planting of a hedge to hide the unsightly fences facing one side of Royal crescent. St. Clair Children's Playground.— The secretary reported that the subcommittee had conferred with a subcommittee of the St. Clair Improvement Society and, in company with the chairman of the Works Committee, Cr John Wilson (representative of both societies) had inspected the work. The combined sub-committees were very disappointed at the way the work had been carried out by the city engineer. The original plan prepared by the societies' architect (Mr A. L. Salmond) and approved of by the City Council, had been departed from without any reference being made either to the two societies concerned or to the architect. Instead of a low-terraced wall on the Victoria and Forbury road frontages, a high wall, five feet to eight feet in height, had been erected, necessitating the erection .of a fence along the top. This, it was contended, would always look unsightly, and the fence would be a source of danger to children, who would be tempted to climb over it. The combined committees considered that the ground could have easily been sloped slightly and the wall terraced to avoid this. After consultation with Cr Wilson, a letter from the two societies had been sent to the town clerk, but so far no reply had been received. In reply to a question, Mr Cameron stated that the letter was dated June 29. Mr R. Fountain said that it was a very great pity that the original plan had not been carried out. Mr S. P. Cameron said the work resembled a fort instead of a children's playground. In reply to a question Mr D. Tannock said that he had not been consulted in connection with the walls. He disclaimed responsibility for the failure to carry out the original plan. At a later stage a deputation from the St. Clair Improvement Society, consisting of Messrs J. R. Callender, E. N. Falck and P. J. Priest, waited upon the Amenities Society Mr A. L. Salmond, the society's honorary architect, was also present. The deputation expressed dissatisfaction with the work, and after considerable discussion it was agreed that a joint deputation should wait upon the Mayor to discuss the whole position It was agreed that the council should be urged to carry out certain items on the original plan It was also suggested that the council should be asked to arrange for the Reserves Department to look after the area when completed instead of the Tramways Department, as at present. General The secretary submitted a report in connection with work on the Lower Portobello road.—Received. The secretary and Mr R. Fountain reported uopn the Arbor Day arrangements. It was agreed that a discussion upon the question of planting a park on Signal Hill be held at next meeting. Meantime Messrs Fountain and Tannock were asked to make full inquiries regarding the possibility of ihe city acquiring the area required. Mr R. Fountain was deputed to represent the society at a meeting of the Centennial Committee to-mor-row.