BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5727, 2 October 1914, Page 2

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

A meeting of the Hamilton Beautifying Society was held last night in the Public Library building. In the absence of the chairman (Mr Worsley) Mr Win. Auld presided, the other members present being Messrs McCrea, Going, secretary. Hall, Higginson, Home and Parr. Mr H Roche wrote tendering his resignation as a member owing to i'l-health, and wishing the society every success in the work they had undertaken.- The resignation was regretfully accepted, and the secretary was instructed to write acknowledging Mr Roche's valuable services to the society in the past. Mr C. A. Vautier, who was granted leave of absence, wrote to the effect that the lowest tender for the hand rotunda was Mr 11. Hollow's, £2';;!, which was higher than his estimate. He believed the unsettled slate of the market was the cause of this. The Mayor. Mr Worsley, and he were of opinion that the matter should be deferred till a more convenient time.—This was agreed to.

With regard to the request by the society that the old cottages behind the club should be removed as being unsightly, the secretary reported that a reply had been received to the effect that the buildings had been inspected and found satisfactory.— Received.

The foreman, Mr D. C. Mitchell, reported that the River Path from the end to the railway bridge had been thoroughly cleaned up, and 'widened in parts, the lower part being cleared of blackberries, gorse and rubbish. This would allow room for a lot of natives shrubs and trees to be planted there during the later part of the season. He recommended flax, cabbage trees, toi-toi, koromikos, kowhai, etc. The guard rail above the big gully in this part had been lengthened and strengthened, some heavy timber having been put in to prevent it slipping away again. Where the path was too narrow logs were placed on tin; outside and filled in with clay and soil. This, he thought, was more advisable than breaking into the bank on the inner side, which was composed of running sand. The ground by the path leading down by the railway bridge had been cleared of weeds, ani planted with cannas and dahlias which Mr Shepherd donated. These could be replaced by native plants in the autumn. All papers and rubbish on the path up to Ferry Bank were picked up on Saturday mornings, hut on Sunday they were nearly as bad as ever. A wash-out by storm water behind the Council Chambers had been ie:lified by connecting pipes down to the gutter. A circular flower* bed had been formed at Conrarli's Corner. At Garden Place half-a-dozen tins of convolvulus wete placed in the ground out of sight, to help to cover the rustic work. There was no danger of these plants spreading so as to become a nuisance. A splendid specimen of Yucca Gloriosa, presented by Mr Hill, had been planted at the bottom of Ferry Bank.—The report was adopted.

The foreman submitted the follow ing suggestions: -

]. That something should be done to the open drain in Grantham street, to do away with the pools of green slime and water existing there, causing an unhealthy nuisance. —lt was agreed to call the attention of the wurks committee of the Borough Council to this.

2. That a length of hose, with self-revolving sprinkler, be obtained for Garden Place.---Agreed to.

3. That a good supply of macrocarpa branches for rustic work on River Path, to be obtained from Mr Emmitt for 10s, be secured. -Agreed to.

■l. That the police he requested to keep an eye on the conduct of'a gang of young fellows who meet on '.he River I'uth everj Sunday, and whose remarks and conduct to passers-by are most objectionable.—Agreed to.

It was also resolved, on the suggestion of the chairman, to call the attention of the police to the mutilation and destruction of young trees. The chairman Baid such conduct showed something wrong in the training of the young people who did that kind of thing.

The chairman said be and Mr McCrea had found the trees in HinemOß street planted awkwardly right in the centre of the footpath. Mr Home said the trees were right, but the footpath was not in its proper

place.—The secretary and foreman were empowered to remove the trees to supplant those destroyed elsewhere, should their position be found to be permanently unsuitable. It was reported that the Borough Council had arranged for calling tenders in a few days for draining VVhilioru Lagoon. Mr Frank lnnes was elected a member of the society, in room of Mr Snell, leaving one vacancy to be tilled at next meeting. It was agreed to grass the upper part of Anglesea street, as requested by the Borough Council. On the motion of Mi iV 'Crea, Mr CufTe was thanked for hj.. ■ Jonatiun ol fern trees.