Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, SEPT. 5, 1922. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY’S FUNDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2476, 5 September 1922, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, SEPT. 5, 1922. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY’S FUNDS.

NOTICE of motion lias been given by a member of: the local Beautifying Society Committee to amend the rules with the object of diverting portion of the funds to erect a pavilion on Easton Park. The society’s rule says that the object of the society shall be: “(a) To lay out and plant with trees, shrubs and flowers such uncultivated spaces as are in the opinion of the society suited for that purpose: (b) To endeavour to preserve beautiful scenery and to prevent the destruction of native bush.” To amend this rule would be to aim a smashing blow at the very foundation of the society. Apart from this, however, to use anv of the money raised by the public- for beautifying purposes on a building for the convenience of the public would be a distinct breach of faith and would meet with public disapproval and opposition. Some of those who took a leading part in raising the money are not-now on the committee but will have an opportunity of raising a protest at the general meeting which must be convened to discuss the proposed motion. If a pavilion is to be erected, as suggested, then the local governing authority, in whom the reserve ivested, should foot the bill for the erection of such public convenience. Up to tlte present no provision has been made out of the funds to beaulily Victoria Park and a portion of the fast dwindling fund must be set aside for this purpose. It may be argued that a precedent for the erection of a pavilion has been ere-

cted by the work done at the old cemetery. This is not so, as fencing. levelling and the putting down of paths in that locality were essential to its beautification. Further, every penny spent in transforming' the one lime eye sore into a beauty spot lias been justified by tile, rules of the society and lias met with the commendation and appro\al of the public. By no stretch of the imagination could the funds raised for a specific object be encroached upon for the erection of a pavilion and we hope wise counsels will prevail to scotch this proposal.