HOKITIKA BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1926, Page 1

HOKITIKA BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth Annual Meeting of tile Hokitika Beautifying Association was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday night, the Hon. 11. L. Michel (president) presiding. ANNUAL ItEPORT. The. Annual Report is as follows: During the year seven meetings were held, several other monthly meetings having had to lie deferred. Owing to financial reasons the Association has not this year been able to undertake any new work,and attention has been kept on keeping up the gardens. Much of the work that was dono in past years is of a permanent nature, however, and the present is still being benefited by the past. When the financial position improves the Association will continue its improvements. We are glad to note tho fact that two more garden seats were presented to Cass Square during the year by residents, ono by Mr Cederinan. and the other by Mr Davidson. Macamlrow Square, also, has bad erected in it an ornamental sundial and a memorial statue, the former being given by Mrs Shannon and tho latter by Mr I>. J. Evans. Wo put on record our appreciation of those gifts. To raise funds this last year three functions were held. In April a committee of young men successfully carried out a ball for the benefit of the Association. In June a fair was held, and in December, on the occasion of the Governor’s visit a fair, baby show, and children’s sports were held. A flower show, to have been held early this year, had to lie abandoned on account of the bad season and the weather just preceding the date fixed. The statement of income expenditure shows that tho principal sources of revenue were sales, donations, dance profit, gate money, and sale of rights. Tlie chief sums in expenditure were for wages (£76) and goods, while the debt to tho Gas Co. for tar had been slightly reduced. The total sum dealt with during the year is shown to he £142 2s Id. Tho Association has, unfortunately, some five liabilities, the principal being to the Borough Council for wages, and to the Gas Co. for tar. The assets are £1 14s lid. Tho balance sheet shows that the Association is not in a good financial position. This is largely due to the bad weather which has so constantly attended our functions. The Association. however, is looking forward to a hotter financial year, when it is hoped that tho public will ably support the efforts made to carry out the work. The Association takes this opportunity of expressing its thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who have so kindly helped the Association by their personal efforts or by contributions; to the Borough Council for their cooperation ; to the annual dance committee; to the competition officials; to the Band ; to the donors of the seats, sundial, and statue placed in the Squares; to Mr Davidson for his beautifying work in the Hospital ground; and to the press for its, liberal support and reports. The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted. The question of raising more funds was considered at some length. Tt was pointed out that the Asociation lias suffered so much from bad weather on days on which its functions have been held that it has not been able to raise sufficient funds to pay off the debt contracted in tarring the Square paths, nor to keep up paying its share of the gardener’s salary. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to relieve the Association of the payments for tho next four months after which it is hoped to resume them. Mesdames-R.'irkhill and Benjamin were empowered to arrange a ladies’ committee to make a special effort to obtain more annual subscribers in the residential district, while the President. and Ur Preston canvassed tho buusiness part of the town. Tt was agreed that the Football SubUnion should lie asked to arrange a benefit match early in tho season. .Tune 30th was decided on as a date for a function for raising funds, enquires* to he made meanwhile as to certain suitable items suggested. The President and Mr Preston agreed to interview the Rev. P. B. Eraser to induce him to give a lecture on his recent travels.

The second annual ball, in aid of tin Association is to he lnld in "Wednesday April 14th.

The officers of tin? Association were all re-elected.