SCARLET OAKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26822, 13 July 1948, Page 4

SCARLET OAKS

CENTENNIAL PLANTING SITE BELOW MONTECILLO PROPOSED “ If the 100 scarlgt oaks were planted below the Montecillo ground, they would provide a magnificent blaze of colour from the proposed lookout at the Unity Ground,” said Mr A. C. Cameron, at a meeting of the Dunedin Amenities Society yesterday, when discussing the site for the centennial tree-planting project. “The superintendent of reserves, Mr M. R- Skipworth, is doing an impressive job by opening up the Montecillo ground to provide for a children’s playground. Although he hopes to extend • Montecillo to include another football ground by forming a rubbish tip, there will still be adequate room to plant the scarlet oaks. This discussion arose from a tour of the city by members of the society last Saturday to reconnoitre any opportunities for the society to improve and develop beauty in and around the city. The meeting was attended by Mr A. C. Cameron (chairman), Mrs Cook, Dr C. Begg and Messrs Crosby Morris, D. Tannock, J. Passmore, D. T. Martin, A. Duke, C. Simpson, J. Begg, S. Kirby, W. J. Birrell, M. Wilkinson. E. S. Green. A. G. D. Hutton and C. Wardell. If the Unity lookout was completed it would be a place of lasting satisfaction to the citizens of Dunedin, said Mr Wilkinson. On his motion the society decided to approve a grant of up’ to £SOO towards the cost of the work. It was also decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs A. C. Cameron, S. P. Cameron. Wilkinson, Salmond, Simpson and'Mclsaac should wait on the City Council to put forward the society’s proposals. Improvements to the Oval and its environs were also considered at length and finally the society’s offer of £25 towards the cost of removing the power poles beside the Oval was increased to £SO. This offer is conditional on the City Council carrying out the work within 12 months. The most suitable variety of tree to plant on the bank at the south end of the Oval beside Caversham rise received close attention, and it was decided to suggest to Mr Skipworth that kowhais be planted to replace some poor specimens among the silver birches which are there at present. Other .decisions arrived at as a result of the tour were to extend the line of kowhais at the Gardens ground to George street, to continue an avenue of elms along Cumberland street frcm Rattray street to Anderson’s Bay road. A proposal to move the dressing shed at the Gardens ground from its present' position at the corner of the ground to the southern edge of the field on the rise was referred to a sub-committee to confer with the Gardens Business Men’s Association. The annual offer of a tree or shrub to each secondary school child to plant on Arbor Day was renewed. Mr Green said that there were still- plenty of suitable sites on Mount Cargiil, while a site close to the city was the section on which the new Dunedin West Intermediate School would be built.