BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 469, 10 July 1902, Page 2

B EAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING’ The annual meeting of the Association was held last’night, those present being Mr A. F. Kennedy (President), Ref; Father O'Connor. KeV; PL Williams, Dr. Williams ; Messrs Townley, Pettie, Davies, Symes, Mann, Muir, Darton, Grain. McKee, Redstone, and Uiisoii. The .second annual report was read by the President, showing that a very satisfactory ytai'.s progress had been made.

The balance-sheet was read by the Treasurer, Mr L. T. Symes, showing that liabilities were nil, notwithstanding all work that bad been done. The assets were valued at £lO2 12s Id. 'Pile President said he ihouglit they were to tie congratulated on having such a satisfactory report. Although they had only Bti members’ subscriptions this year as against 138 last year, they must remember that, in the early stages there would naturally be a more vigorous canvass. In addition !o all the work they had done during the year they had paid off £3(l 7s t;d. lie was sure that as the Association went on they would by their work further enlist public support and sympathy. They had met with a certain amount of opposition, it being thought they should under take the larger work of the river embankment, but it must j nc remembered that their funds were limited, and although it had been said that they would obtain £2SU for the work, it would have cost a thousand pounds to do. He could not see how they could expect go raise that sum. They must do the work gradually- a-s they were able. It. bad been suggested that an effort might be made to aequite Kaiti Hill, and there was a promise of a hundred pound subsidy from the Government towards acquiring a portion of the hill for beautifying purposes, but they must remember that in addition to the first cost, there would be that of mujking anli maintaining the footpaths, etc. A movement was being heartily taken up in the direction of having a memorial erected for Captain Cook, and if as they hoped it was taken up as a national movement, assisted by Government and the Admiralty, there should be a very handsome obelisk erected, and for the placing of it in position they would probably lie honored by the visit of a warship, and an important function take place. lie hoped that they would yet be able to do something as to the taking or the area required, and that it would fit in with what was being done in regard to the memorial. Though they perhaps could not yet acquire the land, it was a matter that they should keep in view In the meantime what they had to do was to continue to work together and do fflie best they could. There was still a good deal to do on the Kaiti bank, but the hack of the work had been broken,- and in a few months’ the bank would be very beautiful and give evidence of the good work that the Society was doing. The fact of the street ends in Whataupoko being taken in hand showed that the Society was doing work of more than local interest to any one corner of the town. 'They had had a plan drawn up for improving the recreation ground, in the west end, and they hoped to make that one of the prettiest, spots in the place. A plan bad been prepared by Mr Darton and the Works Commit to, and he was sure that they would make the ground a very attractive spot. The Society had a great deal, of work in front of it. They had 3050 trees in the nursery, which lie was sure was a credit to them- He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet-.

The motion was seconded by Mr (L Grant, and carried, with applause. The election of officers • was then proceeded with. Mr Pettie proposed, and Dr. Williams seconded, the re-election of Mr A. F. Kennedy as President, and paid high tributes to the work done by Mr Kennedy. Mr Kennedy said lie would liaVe preferred to see the office go round, but he left himself in the hands of the meeting. Mr Kennedy was then re-clected, there being very hearty applause. The other officers were elected as follows Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. Pettie and Grant; secretary, Mr G. Darton ; Treasurer, Mr L; 'i\ Symes; Committee, Dr. Williams,’Messrs A. Thomson, IV. Barton, E; I-I. Mann, A. R. Muir, J. McKee, C. IK Davies, W. G. Sherratt, F. Rowley, J. IE Redstone, Rev. 11, Williams, and Rev. Father OiConnor; Auditors, Messrs Morgan and Coleman. On the motion of Mr Grant, a cordial vote of thanks was tendered to the press. On the motion of Mr Darton, seconded by Rev. I-I. Williams, it was resolved that rule 11 be altered so that the annual meeting be held in May of each year, so that a new committee would’ take up work at the beginning of a season instead of in the middle, as under conditions hitherto prevailing.

Mr Grant seconded the motion, which was carried. It.was resolved on the motion of the Rev. Father O’Connor, seconded by Mr Symes, that the number of committeemen be extended to fifteen. Messrs R. N. Jones, A. Dewing, and Mander were then added to the committee. A meeting of the committee was then held. The following Works Committee were elected Rev. H. Williams, and

Messrs A. Thomson, G. Grant, C. P. Davies, and G. Barton. Finance Committee : Rev - . Father" O’Connor, Messrs Pettie, McKee, Redstone, and W. Sherratt. The Treasurer said there was '£32 to .start the year with' (Applause);