THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1923. PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4562, 11 May 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1923. PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

,It is. now some months since the Beautifying Society carried out the big improvements in the vicinity of the local railway station. This work is still being maintained by the Society and a small band of energetic workers. On a flue afternoon the seats are very often fully occupied by tired pedestrians and mothers with prams, who gratefully avail themselv w es of a short rest on the way to and from the centre of the town on shopping excursions. Apart from the beauty of the surroundings at this part of the town, the seats are filling a long-felt want, and it has become quite a favourite rendezvous for a. number of ’ people.. Naturally the Beautifying society likes to see that ?s work is appreciated, and it is most necessary that the Society should be accorded all possible help and encouragement in its work by the whole community. One of the ways the public cap help, and a way that should appeal to all, as no financial help is asked for, is to protect their .own property. Near the railway station clean gravel paths have been laid down through the grounds. There are also cross-paths, whereby a person can walk round and look closely and admire every flower bed. Despite the fact that paths exist, grown-ups, as well as children, wander aimlessly ail over the grounds, thoughtlessly doing that costs a great deal of labour and time, and very often money, to repair. Some thoughtless mothers and children have been wheeling their perambulators and gocarts across the’greens. At this time' of the year the ground is* naturally soft, especially on the “made” ground in that locality. It is very discon-' certing to the Society to find heel marks sunk into the young grass, and the edges of the turf round the beds and along the sides of the path are frequently broken. On several occasions the plots, have been walked on, and flowers and plants bruised bent, and destroyed. No doubt this sort of thing is often done by people out of sheer thoughtlessness. The headmaster at the District High School is continually counselling the pupils to take an interest in their town, and to protect the work and property of others. Many adults might apply the same instruction to their own minds. It should not be necessary for the Society to erect boards, “Keep to the paths ; protect your property,” on the localities where beautifying and improvements have been carried out. It. relies on the judgment and civia

spirit of t,he public to ’ assist in its I works, and it is only fair that such < help should be forthcoming. Residents like to hear their town admired by visitors to Paeroa. Many are only too prone to patting themselves on the back, with a kind of “alone I did it’’ sort of feeling, when in reality thoir consciences must- prick them when they realise how very little they have really done to help improve their borough!,tilt is not possible for all to help the Society with money or labour, or both, but the very least each and every one can do is to protect the work that has been done and tg use their best endeavours to cultivate the true civic spirit and interest in the welfare and progress of the town of Paeroa.