BEAUTIFICATION WORK

Chronicle (Levin), 9 August 1946, Page 4

BEAUTIFICATION WORK

«, — . Levin Society ffleets plans for coming year Achievements in the past twelve months and aspirations for the coming year in the beautification of the town were discussed at the annual meeting ^of the Leyin and District Beautifying Society last evening. There was quite _ a good attendance of members, while a number of apologies for unavoidable absence . were received. The president (Mr. A. *W. Parton) occupied the chair. Past Year Reviewed For the committee the president (Mr. A. W. Parton) and secretarytreasurer (Mr. C. S. Black) gave the following joint review of the year's activities: "The past year has been rather uneventful so iar as planting operations are concerned. However, we realise that until there is a sufficient margin of labour available for the proper maintenance of trees already planted, it might be advisable to defer meantime any ambitious programme of street tree planting. Our main preoccupation has been with the triangle, that triangular shaped section at the junction o.f Bath and Cambridge Streets. Here, also, there has not been quite the amount of progress that was earlier anticipated. Nevertheless, the triangle has been levelled, and that portion of Cambridge Street between the present Public Gardens and the triangle has been realigned and it can now be visualised what a vast improvement should result during tne next two or three years, where the vacant section has been grassed and the various suggested improvements have taken shape. Cambridge Street in this vicinity would then appear as an attractive tree-lined avenue, running through an artistic and well-tended Public Gardens. "Arbor Day, August 1, 1945: Two flowering cherries were planted by Mr. Parton and the late Mr. Goldsmith at Levin Public School, and

other plantings by our members were two flowering cherries at Levin Convent School and two rhododendrons at Poroutawhao School. Mr. and Mrs. Whyman also kindly presented a pohutukawa (from Mongonui) for planting in the Public Gardens. We again pay tribute to the help and encouragement given by the Mayor and Councillors in regard to any recommendations rnade by our society; we also acknowledge the cordial assistance afforded us by the borough staff, headed by Mr. H. L. Jenkins (town clerki , Mr. K. W. Sandford (engineer), Mr. E. Lycette (overseer) and Mr. A. L. Williams (head gardener) . Mr. Stanley, manager of the Boys' Training Centre also very generously mafle , ayailablO ,/heti..labpiur and machinery for levelling the triangle, and due acknowledgment of this has been made by us to Mr. Stanley. "Membership: The annual subscription was increased at the last annual meeting to 5s, and our flnancial members now number 80, a gratif^ing increase. "Street day: A very successful street day was held on Friday, September 28 last, when the sum of £41 11s 8d was realised. We are greatly indebted to the ladies' committee, headed by Miss Bowen, whose energy and persuasiveness so materially contributed to this result." Finances The flnancial statement showed that the year had started with a credit balance of £5 19s 7d and concluded with a credit of £58 13s iOd. Members' subscriptions £20, street day collection £28 and donations £8 "were the principal items of revenue. Mi'scellarieous pay-. ments aggregated £4 ls 8d. President's Remarks In speaking of the annual report, the president said that members would realise that the times had been difficult, but that perhaps the society's operations the previous day on the occasion of Arbor Day might mark the opening up of brighter activities. The Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) , the headmaster of the Levin School (Mr. H. F. McClune) and another great friend of nature (Mr. I. D. Parsins) had expressed their appreciation of the form which Arbor Day had taken this year, and he hoped that ihe society would" pledge itself to repeat the function with the children in future years. Mr. Parton went on to say that he had endeavoured to contact the Levin R.S.A. to study the question of memorial trees on the main highway, but the campaign for the memorial hall still occupied the R.S.A.'s attention. He had also been in touch with the president of the Wellington Society, and what was still envisaged was a highway of memorial trees, with plafes hearing the names of the men and women who had given their lives in the war. In conclusion, Mr. Parton paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mr. Black as secretary-treasurer and voiced appreciation of the help given by the Press. Mr. W. Davie, in moving the adoption of the report aM "flnancial statement, commented on. the society's strong flnancial position, and said it would help in carrying out a considerable amount of beautification work which was much needed in the town. He congratulated the lady members on the success of the street day they had conducted. The motion was seconded by Mrs. K. Z. Lynch and carried. Officers Elected The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — Patron: Mr. H. B. Burdekin; presi-

dent: Mr. A. W. Parton; vice-presi-dents: Mrs. W. Lett, Miss H. E. Bowen, Professor F. P. Wilson and Messrs. I. D. Parsons, F. O. Malcolm and H. F. MeClune; hon. secretary-treasurer: Mr. C. S. Black; hon. auditor: Mr. G. H. Sorenson; committee: Mesdames f. D. Parsons, E. M. Ryder, H. L. Jenkins, H. B. Burdekin, K. Z. Lynch, A. W. Parton, Miss M. Hitchcock and Messrs. F. D. Chainey, W. Davie, W. R. Jack, H. L. Jenkins, E. Lycette and K. W. Sandford. Planting of Triangle ' Mr. - Burdekin said the society 'should endeavour to do all it could to counter the suggestion which hadlbeen made to turn the triangle section opposite the Public Gardens in Cambridge Street into a parking area. While the suggestion might have some merit, it would spoil the scheme of beautiQcatiOn planned. The Levin Borough Council had already extended the sealing in Cambridge Street to provide parking accommodation. Mr. Jenkins pointed out that some years ago the society had 'contributed £80 towards the cost of purchasing the triangle 011 the understanding that it was to be utilised for bea'utification as an extension of the gardens. Mr. Burdekin eohsidered that a committee from the society should meet the council's works committee with a view to drawing up a plan of work for the triangle. After further discussion a committee consisting of Mrs. S. J. Thompson and Messrs. Parton, Black and Parsons- was appointed to meet the couiicil's works committee to draw up a plan and report back to the society. General Matters It was felt that the street day organised ^so successfully during the past year should be an annual one, and it was decided to write asking the Levin Borough Council for permission to conduct a similar effort next February. It was resolved that Arbor Day next year should be celebrated in con junction with the children of the Levin State and Convent Schools on similar lines to the function held this year. Professor Wilson made reference to streets ' where some residents maintained the roadside as a lawn while .others nearby did not do so. He pointed out that this marred the whole appearance of the work of those wlio did cut the grass, and appealed to all residents to enhance the appearance of the streets by mowing the grass.