CITY BEAUTIFYING. ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6123, 9 March 1898, Page 4

CITY BEAUTIFYING. ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the i sommitteo of the City Beautifying Association was held at tS City Council Chambers lost evening. ™* senl-the Mayor (who Pjdde*) 1 2d .Messrs L. Cockayne . C. Purd, c , G . H um . phreys, H. JetyU. £. H. Barnett, S. D. Barker, H. J. Bewick A. Kay c , A . Carrick, O. Archer, W. Jonos, Brs Dendy Irving and Levinge. The Secretary reported that one-half of the Lane's Mill island was now ready for planting. The advertisement asking f or contributions of daffodils and polyanthuses had not met with the respouHo expected, and a special effort would have to bo made to secure supplies. ' On the motion of Dr Irving, Mrs A. E. G. Khodes was appointed lady patroneßs of the Association. The Secretary brought up the report of the special committee appointed to consider the best means of planting Lane's Mill island, which recommended that the willows at the narrow end of the island should be covered with such creepers as Virginia creeper, Now Zealand Muehlenbeckia, exotic and native clematises and bignonias. In front of these would be planted the taller of the following trees :— Magnolias of various kinds, kowhai, the yellow laburnum of New Zealand, and double Japanese cherries, white, pink and yellow. In tho more central portion of the island would be placed the taller of the various flowering and variegated shrubs. Eound these others of more lowly growth, while nearer the stonework, forming an irregular border round the whole, would go a mass of roses, mostly those that flowered in the autumn as well, as in the summer, together with various Japanese maples. It was also proposed to plant one thousand Sir Watkin daffodils for spring effect, or other good kinds if these were not procurable at a reasonable price, and quantities of lilies of all kinds. The carrying out of this scheme would cost about .£SO. The report was adopted. < It was resolved that a letter should be written to the City Council asking it to contribute, and to ask the newspapers to open special subscription lists for the purpose of raising funds to defray the cost of planting and beautifying the island and its surroundings. Subscriptions to tho amount of 43 3s were promised in the room. On the suggestion of Mr Beswick it was decided to call the island "The Mill Island." Accounts to the amount of <£3 6s 9d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.