AN "EYESORE" IN THE CITY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2211, 25 July 1914, Page 6

AN "EYESORE" IN THE CITY.

THE BASIN RESERVE.

USE FOB CARNIVAL FUNDS.

SUGGESTED TIMBER BELT.

. Ml \ 3 ; p, Luk e presided at a meeting, ot the executive committee, of the Utizens Carnival Association, held in tlio Mayor's Room last evening. The meeting had been 'called to decide how the money which accrued from the last Carnival should be expended, Mid a now committee (the old one re-elected) was appointed to consider the point aetore that business was proceeded with, Mr. \Luke said that he had a financial statement with respect to the Larnival finances which he Jiad obtained from the City Treasurer. The cash received by the council from the nrst Carnival amounted to £1808 os. 3d., and the amount expended on Central Park up to July 21 was £2437 4s. Id., so that the City Council had subsidised the amount raised by the Carnival lo the extent of £629 3s. 10d. !he gross amount received from the last Carnival' was £895 10s.,'but out of that amount payments had had to be made. There was a cheque for £50 —the first prize in the art union. The net amount available was £758 Us. 9d. He would move' that the amount be handed over to the council, to be held on deposit until it was decided what was to be done with it.

On the motion of- Mr. Geo. Frost, it was \ decided that the association retain the sum of £25 for contingent expenses.

Tlie chairman said that there was a piano to be disposed of. It was resolved that.the instrument be placed in tho auction room with' a reserve of £20 on it. - . , Next Year's Carnival. Respecting the proposal of the Early Settlers' Association that the Carnival Association should co-operate with them in-regard to next year's.Carnival, with a view to raising a memorial of some kind to the early settlers of Wellington, it was decided that the proposal would be submitted to the annual meeting of the Carnival Association to be held next month. Mr. Watkins suggested, in the course of a type-written report, thas a committee be appointed at the next.executive meeting to report' on. the last Carnival, and make such suggestions respecting the 1915 Carnival as they thought desirable, and that at the annual meeting a small, committee be set up to organise and. plan the coming Carnival. Mr. Watkins proposed to directly interest all associations, clubs, societies, trado unions, etc. Ho also suggested a competition among beautifying and ratepayers' .associations, by which tho winner would secure £1000, to be expended on the prize-winning 'scheme which must take the form of beautifying some public property or other. The decision would be arrived at by voting papers, in the same manner as the Carnival Queen competitions (plans and specifications- of every work entered to be approved by the City Engineer). ■

, The_ scheme was not discussed. The following committee was appointed to consider , the report and matters pertaming generally to the coming Carnival:—The Mayor (ex-officio), Mrs. Fletcher, Messrs. Watkins, A. Marryatt, G. Frost, C. Wilson, and Father Hickson. ■ * The Neglected "Basin." • The' following committee was set up consider in what manner' the profits of the last Carnival should be expended: —The Mayor (ex-officio), Watkius, A'. Marryatt, G. Frost, 11. Fletcher, J. P., Firth, C. Wilson, Mcsdames Luke and' Firth. . - . - . It*was suggested that the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) should act on tho committee, but that : gentleman said he would rdther not act, as ho would probably be called upon to advise- tho council- on matters concerning tho Carnival.. Mr. Frost proposed that Mr. Morton might make suggestions as to how the money should be expended—then, the committee could deliberate on the various schemes. . Mr. Morton said he would rather it was the other ,way about—that the committee would submit ideas, and he would report on them. Mr. Frost said that ho would like, to ■make the suggestion that the money should be expended in beautifying the Basin Reserve by altering the fence round the ground. The idea was to shift the present fence back,, and expose the shrubbery that circled the Reserve to the view of the-public. By that arrangement the old fence would be pretty well hidden by the shrubs, and yet would be serving its purpose as well as now. - Mrs. Luke remarked. that the old paling fence was anything but beautiful. .. ■' * V "An Eyesore," . "One of the greatest eyesores in the. city at the present time is the Basin Reserve,"' said Mr. Morton, "and the one way to get some tangible Tesult quickly would bo to spend it on, the reserve. Tho amount of money available is hardly largo enough for any big work." ■ . . ■ The chairman said that the idea of the fence inside and the shrubs outside appealed to him. . . ■

Mr. , Frost said the proposal Would mean a belt of shrubbery about 20ft.' broad, which would do away with the present hideous'fence. The Reserves Committee-had considered the matter twelve months ago, and had asked Mr. Glen' to report on' it, but as lie had been very slow about it they had sent the matter on to the City Engineer. He believed it was a work that would appeal to the whole council, and was one he felt sure it (the council) would su£h sidise. He also mentioned' that whilst the alterations were being made, the eastern corners of the reserve could.bo rounded off so as to ease the.curves in the tramlines.

Mr. C. G. Wilson said.it would he better, if they.had a plan and an estimate of the work.

The Mayor' Approves. The chairman said his personal view was that the money could not be better spent than on the Basin Reserve, which could, lie was sure, be converted into a beauty spot.. If the work could ,be done without coming between the citizens and their endowment lie agreed with it. Mr. Frost said that probably compensation could be given by providing little usland reserves on tho other side of the track opposite the affected corners. The chairman said he would not like to get into difficulties with the City or go to Parliament for authority to do the work. Perhaps it would be best if Mr. Morton brought down a plan as soon as lie was able, when the committee could be called together to consider it. Mr. Av= Marryatt: "It's all right as far as the cricketers are concerned— it dons not interfere with the playing area." . In answer to a question Air. Morton said that the curves could be eased without encroaching on the playing area.

The suggestion that the City Engineer submit a plan of the proposed" work, and that it be considered at a later meeting, was agreed to.