DUNEDIN AMENITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25801, 23 March 1945, Page 6

DUNEDIN AMENITIES

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY

MR G. SIMPSON ELECTED CHAIRMAN

The fifty-sixth annual meeting of the Dunedin Amenities Society was held in the Somerset Lounge last night. Mr Crosby Morris presided over a large attendance of members and friends of the society. The adoption of the annual report was moved by the president, who said that unfortunately Dunedin citizens as a whole did not appear to possess a proper feeling of pride in the glorious scenery of their city and suburbs, and it was the duty of the society to do something to remind all dwellers in Dunedin of the great privileges they enjoyed. Necessary work on the city's reserves had had to be postponed, and much remained to be done. He had every sympathy with the City Corporation in the difficulties it. had experienced during the war, and trusted that it would not be long before its supply of man-power was greatly increased, Mr Morris paid a tribute to the Reserves Committee for the help it had given the society over many years. Without that assistance the society's

work would be seriously handicapped. The work of the Boy Scouts during the year had been of great value, and, apart from the actual work done, the fact that future citizens had been interested in the beautifying of the reserves should bear fruit in the future. Vandalism in Reserves

Vandalism was still rampant, Mr Morris continued. What had been done to combat it might have had some effect, but it was a great discouragement to the society that work for the improvement of the reserves had in some cases been ruined immediately after it had been carried out. He trusted that the annual talks to schools on Arbor Day might gradually assist in checking this evil. The work of the society in purchasing, and of the City Corporation in caring for trees suitable for planting had been continued, and those trees were available for future schemes as they came along. The society had endeavoured to persuade the authorities to remove the unsightly overhead wires that disfigured the city, but so far without result, and he trusted that future committees would be successful in obtaining an improvement in this respect. Another matter that had been brought forward at many annual meetings .was the litter thrown on the streets. The City Corporation had a by-law making that an offence, but, for some unexplained reason, it would not move in the matter. Mr Morris Concluded by referring to the loss the society , had suffered through the death last year of Mr John Ash, whose work for the society had been outstanding, and, at the request of the president, those present stood in silence The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr G. Simpson, who spoke appreciatively of the assistance given to the society by the City Corporation and staff. The society had from time to time been critical of the City Council Mr Simpson said, but its criticism was intended to-be constructive,-rather than destructive, and he was pleased to see so many members of the council and its executive staff present at the meeting. . - Mr H. P. Kidson spoke to the report, and said that the society had not only criticised but it had also tried to help the City Corporation. It had also tried to bring to the citizens generally a realisation of the work that, the City Corporation was doing on their behalf. City Council’s Appreciation

The Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) , expressed pleasure at seeing Mr. Moms again in the chair after his illness, and said that few men had done as much for the' beautification of Dunedin as Mr Morris had done through the society. He expressed to the society the City Council’s appreciation of the work it had done for the city, and said the Reserves Department was doing all it could to maintain the reserves in the best condition possible. The council would do everything it could to cc-operate with the society, which had been very helpful, not only in making suggestions but also in showing how those suggestions could be put into effect. It had also made finance available to assist in carrymg out the suggestions. On behalf of the council he thanked the society for all it had done, and was doing, and hoped that the happy relationship between the society and the council would continue for many years for the benefit of the city, the welfare of which they had so much at heart. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Officers

The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing years;—Patrons, Messrs W. Downi* Stewart and Crosby Morris; president, Mr George Simpson; vice-presidents, Messrs J. L. Salmond and R. Fountain; hon. secretary, Mr A. C. Cameron; hon. treasurer, Mr A. H. Templeton; hon. auditors, Messrs Barr, Burgess, and Stewart; the retiring members of the committee—Messrs John Wilson, J. McGeorge, J. C. Begg, R. Merrett Wilkinson, and A. C. Cameron—and one new member, Mr G. S. Kirby, were elected.

Several speakers paid a tribute to the ' excellent work done for the society by the retiring president, Mr Morris, who has been a member of the society for 26 years, during 19 of which he has been president, and cogratulated him upon his elevation to the position of patron. Annual Subscription

It was decided, on the motion of Mr A. C. Cameron, seconded by Mr Simpson, that the annual subscription should be increased from 5s to 10s. Address by Mr Skipworth

At the conclusion of the formal business, the superintendent of reserves. Mr M. R. Skipworth, gave an interesting address, illustrated by lantern slides, on the parks in Great Britain and America. He said that the great parks in London were originally the property of the Kings of England, but during the passage of time had gradually been handed over to the people. In those parks the city of London had a magnificent heritage, acquired rather as the result of evolution than by good management. The Public Health Act of 1848 first gave municipalities in England the power to purchase and maintain parks for the use of the citizens, and it was fortunate that about that period New Zealand cities were being established, with the result that that principle was incorporated in their administration. Prior to the war many of the parks in England were railed off, but the removal of the railings for war purposes had meant greater freedom in the use of the parks, with the result that there would probably be a marked change in their future layout.

In the American cities, Mr Skipworth said, particularly in the eastern States, the development of the park lands had been assisted, rather than otherwise, by the development of the automobile, and many of the large cities now had magnificent parks which contained a wide diversity of amenities such as museums, and aquariums, and facilities for recreation. Mr Skipworth was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.