ST. JOHN'S HILL BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXII, Issue 17099, 28 September 1917, Page 7

ST. JOHN'S HILL BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the above society was held in Miss Bayly's Schoolroom on Monday evening. Mr J. Williams occupied the chair, and there was a- good attendance of members. The following report was read: The committee have pleasure in presenting their annual report on the work carried out on the Virginia Lake Reserve, during the past 12 months. It will be seen from the balance sheet that a good many members have forgotten to pay^their annual subscriptions, only £4 having been received, and £1 16s in donations. On the other hand, the late Mr. Aiken, who always took a keen interest in the work of the society, has left a legacy of £100 to be expended on the Virginia Lake Reserve. The committee liave under consideration various schemes as to the best means of perpetuating the memory of Mr Aiken. Our work during the past year has been confined to maintaining the grounds in good order and planting out some two thousand trees and shrubs. A "tiki" in the form of a Maori canoe, which took part in a fight at Kapiti, has been acquired by the society and is being carved under the supervision of Mrs. Gregor McGregor, and is to be erected on "Puxa" Point, overlooking the far end of Virginia, Lake. Several important works, authorised to be carried out, have been compelled tobe held over, owing to the war. conditions unhappily prevailing. The Borough Council have shown their appreciation of the work carried out by the St. John's Hill Beautifying Society by appointing three of its members, Messrs Williams, Bassett and Babbage, as honorary custodians of the Virginia, Lake Reserve during their pleasure. Our thanks are due to the Borough Council and its officers for much valuable assistance; to the Reserve Committee, who have evinced a keen interest in promoting the work of beautifying and upkeep of this reserve. We have also to thank Mr Tucker, the Borough Gardener, for his everready help, and assistance in supervising the work carried "on in this popular resort; neither must our working gardener, Mr Kinkade, be forgotten in our thanks for the good order and tidiness in which the grounds are kept, and for the care taken in promoting the growth of the trees and shrubs planted out. ■The following officers were elected- ■ Patron, Mr H. T. Christie; president, Air D. G. Poison; vice-presidents, Mesdames Hatrick, Krull, Burnett and Babbage, Messrs A. Hatrick, Gregor McGregor, J. H. Burnet, W. H. Gibson, Jas. Watt, J. McMillan, J. A Neame. A. Duthie, L. Wright. Committee: Messrs Powdrell, Jack, Dawson, Lewis, Bassett, F. Liffiton Ryland, J. Gibson, F. Parkes, J. Williams, MurdocE, Doig, Stevenson, a.nd Lonnell; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr C. W. Babbage. , Mr Bassett moved, and Mr Higginbottom seconded, that the in-coming committee be authorised to spend a sum of money not exceeding £100 in ma& mg a rockery and pergola in memory of the late Mr J. Aiken.—Carried.' Mr Stevenson moved and Mr Parkes seconded, that the rockery be named after the late Mr Aiken. and that Mr J. A. JNeame be asked to assist in forming a plan to carry out this work, and to furnish an estimate of the cost.— Carried. Mr Stevenson proposed Mr Bartlett lS * meml)er °f tlle society.—Seconded by Mr Dawson and carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.