WEST END

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19513, 12 June 1933, Page 9

WEST END

RATEPAYERS’ AND HOUSEHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. Several new members were included in the attendance at the annual meeting of the West End Ratepayers’ and Householders’ Association' held at the West School on Saturday night. Mr J. E. Chiles presided. The president welcomed the new members, and referred to the presence of Mr P. C. Vinnell, whom he congratulated on his re-election to the Borough Council. In acknowledging the welcome, Mr Vinnell complimented the Association on their progressive spirit, and assured them that in his endeavours to do the best possible for the whole of Timaru, the claims of the Association would not be overlooked.. Progress of West End. In the course of a short address, the president said that for nine years, the Association had planned and worked for the good of the district with very gratifying results, and although the past year had been associated with difficulties, the interest of members had never waned. Through the activities of the Association, they had made very definite progress. A district would always be in keeping with the mind, will and interest Of its people, and lack of interest could result only in neglect. On the other hand a live people would always make of their district a place beautiful and desirable. The Association now had 171 members actively interested. One of their many ambitions was to create within the minds of young people a sense of citizenship, and with this in view the Association were endeavouring to link all sports bodies in the district with the Association. These days of difficulty must be faced with patience,. courage and determination, said Mr Chiles. In a sense they were pioneering over again and the pioneering spirit was what they required. In some respects prospects looked brighter and he hoped that in the near future better days for all would be enjoyed. The president said that the Committee had not been idle during the year. Their programme had always been progressive, and, he hoped, in the best interests of the district. “While many suggestions made by the Association have been fruitful of good results, much still remains to be accomplished, and it is only by the united interest of our people that we shall realise our motto, ‘The West End, the Best End',” he said. Annual Report. The ninth annual report, presented by the secretary (Mr W. Renton), stated that eleven executive meetings had been held during the year, the attendances reflecting the live interest taken in the work of the Association. Regret was expressed at the death cf Mr D. N. Harper, late curator of the Timaru parks. It had not been possible for Mr Anderson to formulate any definite plans for the improvement f West End Park, owing to the transitionary state of the area, in consequence of which, the cinder track, suggested by the Executive had not been formed. Better lighting in Maltby Avenue and other streets had been applied for early in the year, and the application for Maltby Avenue and Raymond Street was renewed at last meeting. In neither case, however, had anything yet been done, although inj some other quarters improvements had been effected. Owing to a most successful season at the baths, more accommodation was considered necessary, and a request was at present before the Council for the erection of a new hall. Asphalting on one side cf the footpaths in Preston, Rathmore and Ranfurly Streets had been carried out, while the attention of the Council had been drawn to the untidy state of several vacant sections and in the district. An application for an improvement in the timetable of the present 11.15 a.m. ’bus from Highfield was at present before the Council. The sowing down of the new croquet greens in West End Park was completed, and it was asserted that these would be ready for next season’s play. Thanks were due to the Council, the curator, and workmen for the satisfactory completion f the work. It was hoped that the necessity for appointing a caretaker to look after the Council’s property would be recognised. A good many new works had been brought under the notice of the Council, which, it was trusted, would find a place on this year's estimates. The number of members on the roll had increased from 166 to 171. The finances were in a satisfactory condition. Reference was made to the donation of a cup by the Association to the West End Harrier Club, for a five mile race in the vicinity of the West End, the successful gala held in aid of St Saviour’s Orphanage, and donations of £5 each to- the Central Relief Society and the Boys’ Welfare League. Thanks w'ere extended to the Borough Council for the fair manner in which requests had been met, and to the Press. The secretary moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the motion being seconded by Mr H. J. Mayo and carried without discussion. Election of Officers. Reference to the excellent work accomplished by Mr Chiles in the taterests of the West End were made oy Messrs E. Howden and M. Vucetich, who moved that the president be reelected. The motion was carried by acclamation. Other officers elected were:—Vicepresident, Mr H. J. Mayo; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Renton; executive, Messrs A. B. Stoddart, E. Howden, F. R. Dennison, A. Maxwell, F. Wakefield, H. Field, V. Drake, H. W. Hellier, S. Cunningham, J. W. Thompson and W. Thompson, General. An invitation was received from the West End Harrier Club for members to attend the annual run for the Association’s Cup on July 16th. Mr Howden drew attention to criticism which had been levelled against the Association in connection with the planting of a hedge on the Wai-iti Road side of the Park. The critics had suggested that it would be advisable to have had two lines of English trees planted in place of the hedge. Members considered that if trees were planted they would have a tendency to keep the sun from that part cf the Park, and would interfere with the prerent sports area. Mr J. W. Thompson, secretary of the Presbyterian Social Service Association, who attended by invitation, explained the work being carried out at the Presbyterian Children’s Home in North Street. The idea had got abroad, in certain parts of Timaru, he said, that the institution was a wealthy one, but this was a mistake. The Home cost between £BOO and £IOOO per year to run, and had it not been for an overdraft at the bank, the Committee would not have been able to make ends meet. The West End Association had given valuable assistance to the St. Saviour’s Orphanage, as a result of a recent function, and if they could do something similar for the Presbyterian Home, their efforts would be much appreciated. The president said that the West End Association had offered to assist the Home, and the form such assistance should take could be considered later. The president, secretary and Messrs

Maxwc. Stoddart and Mayo were appointed a sub-committee to meet the Presbyterian Social Service Committee to discuss the matter. The necessity for a hall in the West End, adjacent to the swimming baths, was mentioned by the president, who said that representations had been made to the Borough Council on the subject. The Association had offered to help with the cost, and it was hoped that the growing demands of the district would be appreciated by the Council. The building, which would be the property of the Council, could be used by the various sports bodies in the district, and should be of great benefit to ratepayers. He hoped that a favourable reply would shortly be received. It was unanimously agreed, on the motion of the president, that a donation of £5 each be made to the Central Relief Society and the Boys' Welfare League. A grant of £2 was made to the West School Committee, who were thanked for the use of a room at the School. Considering that it was a bad move on the part of the Council, Mr Dennison protested against the recent reduction in the wages of the omnibus staff. Mr Pottinger said that the reduction would have a very slight effect on ratepayers, He congratulated Councillor Vinnell on the stand he had taken at the Council meeting. The opinion that the ’busmen had a big responsibility and should be encouraged to give the best possible public service, was expressed by the president. It was agreed, on the motion of Messrs Dennison and Pottinger, that a protest be made against the reductions. The president in acknowledging the confidence of members in his tenth term of office, thanked all for their co-operation during the year. He specially mentioned the vice-president (Mr Mayo), the hon. secretary, and the Executive, stating that the success of the Association was largely due to the enthusiasm of Mr Renton. Mr J. J. Freeman, a retiring member of the Executive, was thanked for past services.