BEAUTIFICATION OF WANGANUI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20086, 21 May 1914, Page 4

BEAUTIFICATION OF WANGANUI.

BOROUGH COUNCIL INTERVIEWED.

BEAUTIFICATION SOCIETY'S

PLANS OUTLINED

SOME IMPOBTANT PROPOSALS

COUNCIL IN SYMPATHETIC MOOD

A large and representative deputation from the Wanganui Beautifying Sc<:iety waited on -4he Borough Council last night and placed before the Mayor and Councillors the proposals the Society had in mind in connection with its beautification scheme.

Mr. A. Hatrfck, the president, said that the Society had a considerable sum of money in hand, A and wanted to spend" it to the best advantage. :■ Ho knew tho Society had the co-operation, assistance and ' sympathy of the Council. Itmust be gratifying to fhe Council to know, he went'on, that there were so many enthusiastic volunteers doing.beautifying work, and so many keen men I and women who supported the Society's efforts. The question of improving the J appearance of the two main entrances » (o "VVanganui was a matter of the first) consideration. The Putiki side of the bridge was in a» dilapidated condition, i and there were one or two hovels close to the bridge which were mast unsightly. The Society wanted these hovels to- ' moved". The bank itself was in a nrimi- ; tivo state, and improvement was requir-', cd. Mr. Hatrick* said he would like to see a fence of concrete posts and pipe J railings erected around th*\ river hank. ! In view of the proposed Work on the Taylorville skle of the bridge, the 80-' ciety could not suggest anything that could bo done there. First impressions wero of gre?t advantage, the speaker said', and they were often lasting ones. It was a very excellent thing indued to improve the two entrances to the town, ' by which a great number of visitors name. Continuing, Mr. Hatrick said that a fenofe leading from the Victoria Avenue crossing to the top of St. John's j Hill should be erected. MessTs Allisoir* and McGregor had planted trees there in the past. On the other side «f tho j road were the gravel pits, which wer» unsightly, though necessary. Mr. Hatvick thought a hedge should be erected on this s'-de to hide these blemishes. M&, would like the Beserves Committee to go round with the executive of the Society to see the proposed scheme. The Society was particularly anxious to encourage street planting by residents. The energies of the Society had been RVeatly focussed in beautifying Virginia Lake and Wanganui East esplanade. Mr. Hatrick. continuing, said another matter was a glass house, which could bo erected at a cost of £120, of whicK 0:6 Society would pay half. It would bo a Very hie item if the Society had to always send away for thoir trees. The Society wished to cArry the botanical esplanade^ at Wanganui^ East on to the Aramoho bridge, making, it nearly two miles long. In connection with this the SonietV would like the same eon cessions,given as were given at Virginia T.ake. that is. a sum of money towards the cost cf the services of a man far four days a week instead of two as at tsresont, s»> that he could be kept encaged on the esplanade as /well. .T,h-& Society realised that the [time would pom* nben the matter of maintaining +-he .reserves w/mld become too big a matter for a volunteef body. He iiopel i.hat the Council would then take over +-ho maintenance of the reserves, as the Dunedin Corporation had dbno sorae time ago. He wonlilike to sec residents* encouraged to plant their streets 'vith trees, and he instanced tho work that had been done in Halswell Street. which was one of the prettiest streetc in the town.

Mr. Hope Gibbous supported Mr. Hatrick. and suggested that the Council should do what they could towards supporting tho two lecturers on town Xilanning who proposed to visit Wanganui

The Mayor in replying to th° deputation, said their order was a big one. The matter cf finance was largely involved in the subjects represented. Tne Council was doing good work in beautifying the town. It was contemplated to remove the Boroucli stables anil Pound, and it had decided to miprove Laird's Park. Unfortunately th> streets were narrow, and tree-planting could not be carried on as might be wished. Ho promised tlie deputation that its representations would receive every consideration. Tho matter was referred to the Reserves Committee.