BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 152, 9 July 1901, Page 3

BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

Tub annual meeting of the Association was held last night, there being present: Messrs DeLautour (President), A. F. Kennedy, W. D. Lysnar, J. E. Kedstone, A. E. "Muir, A. Thomson, L. T. Symes, W. I'ettie, E. H. Mann, Townley, l)r Williams, and the Secretary (Mr (j. Darton). Apologies were received from the Rev. H. Williams, Messrs 11. X. Jones and A. F. Bridges. The annual report and balance sheet were taken as read, and the President moved their adoption. There was very little he need say in addition to the report before them. In young countries they all necessarily based their action on utilitarian ideas, and therefore there was the more necessity for such an Association as this, as utility without a sense of the beautiful led to a suffering in character, and he might almost say in morality. The materials with which buildings had to be made in this colony were commonplace, and there was a great deal to do in the way of improving the ugly surroundings. Though afraid that he would he accused of being optimistic, he had always held that the future of Gisborne would he far greater than most of them had the courage to believe. Gisborne could not ho drained as other towns might he by a railway to Auckland or Wellington. It would still maintain its commercial position and value, and it seemed to him would increase to an enormous extent. Gisborne must he the depot for a great area of country that was to he developed, and ensured for the place a very great future. That was why he, with others, had so much sympathy with the Borough Council in the very careful consideration they had now to give to future requirements. One could see that there was a large section of the people that would shrink from extra rating ; hut on the other hand they must remember that there could be no value given to borough or suburban properties unless these properties were improved by borrowed money to such an extent as to make them lit to form part of the city. They could not have value without expenditure. It was not for him or the Association to say what should he done in the crisis in our civic history. The position seemed to him to require the greatest patience on their part until the whole of the facts were before thorn. It was to he hoped that there would be no partisanship, or feeling exhibited, on such an important subject, but that all would combine to instruct the public and give the facts as to the capacity to bear the burden. That had not yet boon put before them, in his remarks he was very much constrained as [.’resident of that Association. If they recognised that Gisborne would lie as large as ho thought it would, then all the more must they recognise the scope there was for the work of such an Association. “ You are going to grow rapidly, and it is at this stage

our Association, bringing towards the Council, may I say the educated eye for that which is pleasant, may make for the future a much more picturesque and pleasant condition than it would he without the aid of such an Association. I hope that this Association will be a valuable aid.” They must, he added, act with patience, hut yet with vigor. They must not expect too much in one year from such an Association as this. if it was growing rapidly, he would douht as to whether it would be a healthy growth. Ho would watch the growth of the Association with great interest. It would not he possible for him to continue to hold the position they had been good enough to ask him to hold this year, but he would continue to take keen interest in tlie future of the Association. (Applause.) Mr Kennedy seconded the motion. Xo one could read the report and balancesheet without feeling that they had formed an excellent groundwork for the Association. A substantial start had been made.

and with the support of the public they should do much better in the coming year. As had been pointed out, the Association should really he considered as an auxiliary of the Council. That, he understood, was the. way such societies were worked in other parts of the colony, lie was sure they would he able to make good progress

in the ensuing year. There was no lack of scope for the Society, and if they could get the people to hack them up there was plenty of work to do. The t’ouueil had fallen in with their views by giving what assistance they could in regard to the recreation ground. He had been told by the men that the head waters of the soakage had been struck; therefore they could get the ground dry, and no doubt in time it would be made a beautiful plaee. There was also the Haiti hank that might he taken in hand, lie was sorry that there was not a larger attendance, as he had hoped to see fresh blood introduced into the management of the Society. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Mr DcLautour could not he prevailed upon to again take the office of President, though he said he would give til! the assistance lie could, and Mr Barton also refused nomination. On the motion of Mr l’cttic, seconded by Mr Barton, Mr A. E. Kennedy was unanimously elected President. Mr A. 1». Muir and Dr Williams were clccted^yicc-Presidents. On the motion of Mr Lysnar, seconded by Mr Kennedy, Mr A. K. Bridges was unanimously elected Secretary. Mr Darton, the retiring Secretary, had expressed a desire that someone else should take the office for the ensuing year. Mr L. T. S vines was re-elected Treasurer. The following gentlemen were elected to the committee : The Rev. 11. Williams and Messrs 0. P. Davies. E. 11. Mann, U. N. Jones, 0. A. DcLautour. \V. A. Barton, W. D. Lysnar, A. Thomson, \V. l’cttic, J.

U. Hull. G. Grant, anil G. Darton. Mr Kennedy returned thanks for the honor of deeding him President ; he said that he would do his best in tho interests of tiic Society, and he was very hopeful that now they had got through the initial difficulties they would be able to do much better work in the future. At a meeting of the committee, it was resolved to reduce the number of members of the sub-committees, which were elected

as follows 'Works : Messrs Muir, liarton, Davies, Thomson, and llarton. Finance : Messrs l'ettie, Grant. Lysnar. Pe Lautour, and Jones, and the President, Secretary, and Treasurer e\ officio. The retiring President spoke very highly of the work done by the gardener, Mr Wilson. On the motion of Mr l'ettie a vote of thanks was accorded to the diligent re-

tiring secretary. An oiler was received from Mr Tucker to supply cabbage trees up to the number of a thousand, which could be brought down by the railway trucks. After general discussion as to treeplanting, it was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee be held a fortnight hence.