BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 410, 8 May 1902, Page 2

BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of the Beautifying Association was held last evening, when* the following -members were present;—Messrs Kennedy (President),'Dartoh, Sytpes, C. P. Davies, W. Pettie, G. Grant, gey, H. and Dr, Williaifls. The President said that as Mr Bridges had left for England, and would be absent for some months, it was necessary to appoint a Secretary. He understood that Mr Darton had consented to act. Mr Dartou was unanimously appointed

to the position. The Treasurer reported that the Association had £23 to their credit, but theie were liabilities outstanding amounting to .£26. This gave rise to a discussion upon the subject of finance, members expressing disappointment that the residents of the town had not contributed more liberally. , , , The President stated that the people of Kaiti had set a good example by doing considerable work on their side of the rive" at their own expense. He desired to see'otpey parts of the town follow the example. It was pointed out that there was some misapprehension as to the subscription to the Association. Many persons seemed to be under the impression that there was only one subscription, viz., one

guinea. Tho Secretary said that there were a number pf subscriptions at five shillings. He himself ppid that amount. Mr Grant thought that the good work already, done on the river bank should cause people to give freely towards completing that work. Mr Symes said that the Association might fairly well ask the Council to assist.

It was decided to continue the work to the Kaiti bridge and invite private subscriptions for the work. The President said that the present committee had not long to remain in office, there being only another six weeks until tho annual meeting. Some efforts should be made to make good use of the time.

Air Pettie proposed that a. deputation from the Association should wait on the property-owners in the vicinity of the river bank with a view of seeing what assistance they would give, the deputation to consist of Dr. Williams and Alessrs Grant and Williams. —The motion was carried.

The question of the removal of the sheds at the Point was considered, and it was decided to approach the Harbor Board or Borough Council on the matter.

It was also pointed out that it would shortly be necessary to remove Mr Matthews's buildings. In regard to the preparation of plans for the new work, it was decided, on the motion of Mr W. retlie, that steps should be taken to select a site for a band rotunda.

Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs It. X. Jones, Clayton Bros., and A. F. Matthews for suats presented for the river embankment.

It was decided to plant a row of planes on the footpath of the river embankment, one tree to each chain.

The Chairman said that some expenditure was required in regard to a drain near Peel street, but he thought the Association might ask the Council to undertake it.— This was agreed to. The President thought that the Association should be well satisfied with the work done. He stated that a number of ladies and gentlemen in Gisborne, forming the local Amateur Operatic Society, had consented to donate the sum of £lO towards the funds of tho Association. (Applause.) It was also intended to get up an operetta (two nights), and it was hoped that the sum of £4O would bo obtained by this means. Mr Kennedy stated that a surprise had been sprung upon him by the Crown Lands Department, who had forwarded a bill for £lB for trees supplied from the Kotorua nursery. He had explained that the Association had understood that the trees were a donation

from the Government, and the reply received was that the amount would have to bo placed on the Parliamentary Estimates. Mr Kennedy added that he had informed the Department that the amount would bo applied for, but as far as they were concerned, there was little chance of getting the money from the Association.

It was decided to retain the services of the gardener for the exclusive use of the Association. The President submitted a list of works which it was intended to proceed with at once. This includod work on tho river embankment and Haiti, and also the planting of a hundred or more trees on the streets. It was decided that the Works Committee should report to noxt meeting upon the question of street planting and other works.

On the motion of Bov. H. Williams, seconded by Mr G. Grant, it was decided to take steps to make a general canvass of the town.

Messrs Grant and Kennedy spoko of what had been done in other colonial towns,'and urged that every effort should be made to create public interest in the work of the Association here.