AMENITIES SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 24327, 16 October 1942, Page 5

AMENITIES SOCIETY

A meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Amenities Society was held on Monday, and presided over by Mr Crosby Morris. CITY RESERVES. The secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron) drew attention to the report of the Reserves Committee of the City Council, in which it was slated that at least 10 labourers from the reserves staff would be transferred to essential industries. The report further stated that if these transfers took place the council would have no option but to neglect certain portions of the reserves. Mr Cameron stated that he had discussed the matter with Mrs C. M. Begg, chairwoman of the W.W.S.A., and she was of opinion that suitable women would bo available if a reasonable wage were offered. Ho felt that before the work of the reserves should be abandoned an attempt should be made to carry on the work with women workers. He suggested as an alternative that a scheme which was in operation in parts of Christchurch should bo adopted. Under this scheme, residents living adjacent, to certain outlying reserves were paid 10s or £1 a week to maintain them. They took the keenest interest in the work, and the ■job was probably done more economically than if it were done by the corporation’s own staff. Mr Tannock said that this suggestion appealed to him, as he knew of a number of superannuated reserves men who would be glad to take on such a job at, say, £1 a week. "n Mr P. O. Smellio suggested that the corporation should be written to suggesting that it appeal for volunteers, and that, in the event of there not being sufficient volunteers forthcoming, it should try out the contract system suggested by Mr Cameron. Mr S. P. Cameron seconded Mr Smellie’s suggestion, as he was quite sure that certain residents and schools would look after plots adjoining their premises. It was agreed to write the City Corporation along these lines.