BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 25 February 1913, Page 5

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

VARIOUS SUGGESTED IMPROA T EM ENTS. The Committee of the Stratford Beautifying Society met last evening, when there were present: The President (Mr W. P. Kirkwood, in the chair), Messrs. C. Wright, S. James, P. Thomson, E. A. Osmond, A. D. Blick and B, Fearon (secretary). Mr Osmond reported that in August they had toured the Domains, but had found it too late to attempt anything in the way of beautification. Mr Thomson moved that the annual subscripion be 5s and one shilling for children under 14. He thought the children should ho encouraged to take an interest in plants and trees. —Carried. Messrs. AVright and Thomson were appointed a committee to draft rules and regulations. The President stated that their first consideration was that of finance. Mr Thomson: It is a matter that concerns every house-holder in the Borough; there should be a ready response. The President mentioned that beautifying societies did not, as a rule, rely on subscriptions to augment their funds. He noticed that Feilding had raised a large sum by a big fete. Mr Thomson brought up the unsightly nature of the northern bank of the Patea, between ATctoria Bridge and the railway, and stated that this hank had never been leased to anyone and was still in the possession of the Crown. Possibly the Society could rent it from the Government at merely a nominal rental. It could then he covered with shrubs and plants at very small cost. Mr AVright said.that to his mind the railway yards were the most unsightly spot in Stratford. He sugfested that a live hedge on the eastern side would remove what must be an eye-sore to many. On the motion of Mr James, it was decided to ask the Borough Council to allow the Association to plant along Juliet Street. A motion was also passed that the first work of the Society be the planting of the north bank of the Patea, between AUctoria Bridge and the Railway Bridge, the Government to he asked for the necessary permission. .