"Clean-up" and "Paint-up"

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 November 1916, Page 3

"Clean-up" and "Paint-up"

A CAMPAIGN TO BE INAUGURATED IN 1 LEVIN. A meeting to consider a proposal to inaugurate a "clean-up and paintup" campaign in Levin was held in the council chambers last ni'glit. Mr C. Blenkhorn (mayor) took the chair, and there also were present Mrs P. W. Goldlsm'ith, Messrs C. S. Keedwell. G. Henderson, J. Mclntyre, K. Aitken, D. W. Matheson. T. Broome, B. R. Gardener. The mayor, in briefly outlining the object in view' for calling the meeting, explained that the idea was to inaugurate a scheme for an improvement of the sanitation of the town and to bonefit the town generally. Messrs Matheson and Aitlcen were responsible for the rceptiou rf the idea which was on the lines of a spring-cleaning for the town similar to that which was earned out in all homes at springtime. Last season there were different epidemics in the town and lately they had at tention drawn to the danger of the

fly-pest j The scheme was known as a "clean-up" audi "paint-up." He saw nothing agai'.nst the proposal unless perhaps that it might, if taken up very enthusiastically, draw wiling workers from other worthy efforts, but anyway that was only a small objection. Personally, he was in favour of the scheme. It would be of considerable benefit to the town, and also would be a good advertisement for it. He supported Mr Aitken's motion "'That a 'clean-up and paint-up' campaign be started in 'Levin."

Mr Matheson seconded the motion

Mr Aitken, speaking to the motion, enlarged on the mayor's explanatory remarks. Tt was intendedi to organise the association in such a "'ay that there would be sub-committees to attend to different matters, such as streets, back yards, cleaning up dangerous places and fire prevention, dealing with the fly pest and' disposal of garbage, sanitation. otc. It also was intendedi to interest the schoolchildren in the matter. Improvement and the cleaning; up of vacant sections was another point that would be attended to, and also inquiry as to what methods people had at hand to dispose of garbage. Those who had not proper tins for it would be supplied with them, and the garbage removed'. Tlie most important part of the whole scheme was to give it publicity and get the public interested in it and educate them regarding tho benefits that would result to them as individuals and the town in general if the scheme were taken up properly and cn.rried out.

Mr Matheson said the proposal was an American iidea started by a • man named Olark who threw out the suggestion first in his newspaper. It made such progress that no less than 4900 towns in America had formed "clean-up and point-up" associations. The committees to deal with the various matters would report regularly to tlio executive. The objects of the campaign would be made public through the press and also by means of speakers and the clergy would probably be asked to assist in this and the schoolteachers to explain it to the schoolchildren. They also intended to organize the business mens and enlist their assistance. The committee would supply them with advertising blocks. It was not intended to make the scheme expensive. The main source of income would be concerts, etc.

Air G .Henderson said that in towns •in iNew Zealand the councils did! a- lot of the works proposed for the association. Would it not be as well, if the organization got strong enough, to get the council to undertake the removal of all rubbish. Mr Matheson said the idea was to get the public to take an interest in the scheme. They did not want to rely altogether on the coiino.tl. There were many ways in which the publi'e could help the council. Mr Gardener did not think the association wouldi interfere in any way w/!tli the work carried out by the council. He took it that the association would attend mainly to the cleaning up' ot' back yards and' inculcating tidiness. The committees would keep an eye- on all portions of the town and so long as it did not become a nu,'«ance through the making ot' trivial complaints, it would be very useful. He wouldi like to have seen a more representative gathering. Ilcvf M". H. E. Abbey saldl they should enlist the enthusiasm of the public. He would like- to have seen a larger meeting. iMr Matheson explained that they were aware of the danger of the association becodivng a public nuisance and to guard against it they had put the mayor and the town clerk 011 the executive. The intention was to get volunteers to join the 'different comni ittces. The mayor stated his intention not to hold any office on the executive as he had too much to do at present. He

wouldl, however, remain « member of it, and could help the association from his present position. The mayor thereupon vacated the chair and it was taken by Mr A:itken. All present wero constituted an executive of which Mr Aitken toss elected chairman and Mr Matheson was elected secretary. Committees, with chairmen, were set up as follows: Street, backyards and vacant lots. Her. \V. H. E. Abbey; public diumps and carting, Mr T. Broome; fly pest, garbage disposal and sanitation committee, Mr O. S. Iveedwell; dangerous places and fire prevention, Mr G. P. Brown; public speakers Mi - B. E. Gardener; school children's co-operation. Mr J. McTntyre; women's organization, Mrs W. M. Clark; finance and publicity, Messrs Aitken and Mathe6on ; district organization, Mr G. Henderson.