BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2511, 28 November 1922, Page 2

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

A general meeting 0 f the above society was held last night. Mr Perreau (president) occupied the chair and there was an attendance of sixteen members. The committee’s action in appointing Mr Newth to carry out maintenance work at £3O Wl>er year was endorsed and complimontary references were made to the work done by Mr Newth. The chairman reported that the Council had granted a sum of £lO towards maintenance work, as a re.-ult of the deputation’s visit. A discussion took place in reference to Easton Park and its uses by various sports bodies. It was pointed out that the society had no jurisdiction over the ground except from a beautifying point of view. A lengthy and, at times, heated discussion took place on a notice of motion held over from a previous meeting, and moved by Mr Chrv■—lnll. that the rules of the society lie amended to allow of the funds of the society being used for purposes other than beautifying. The debate centred around the expenditure of £250 out of the society’s funds on the erection of a pavilion on Easton Park. Mr Chrystall said that Air Hornblow had moved that this sum he set aside for the purpose and lie had seconded the motion. The Council was not in a position to incur any expense out of reserves revenue for this purpose. He looked upon the society as a body willing to co-operate with the Council. The society had expended money on the erection of a fence and laying down paths at the old cemetery which was contrary to the rules. The Mayor was suppor- ‘ ted by Messrs Admore and Trueman, Messrs Hornblow, Rev. ton, Christie and MeMurray op-—.— posing the motion and arguing that the Council was responsible for the erection of public conveniences on the reserves and that to break awav would he creating a bad precedent. The chairman said a shed was required in which to store the society’s tools, but unless the rules were altered money could not be expended for the purpose. He said that when the rules were adopted Mr Hornblow stated that their adoption would prevent the society from spending money for other than beautifying purposes.

Mr Hornblow stated that when Mr Black's scheme was first submitted for the lay-out of Easton Park, it provided for a pavilion but the society at that time_were without funds. Subsequently rules were drawn up governing the funds of the< society ijjitl this precluded the funds being 'used for other than beautifying purposes. It was the Council’s duty to provide conveniences and if there was not sufficient funds from the reserves account, aloun could be raised for the purpose. He desired the expenditure of about £IOO from the fund for the '•s beautification of Victoria Park and a further sum was required to provide a walk along the river bank. Mr Chrystall said the ratepayers would not sanction a loan for the purpose. They were too heavily rated as it was.

Mr Trueman outlined the history of the society and said as the sum of £250 had been ear-marked for a pavilion it would have to he spent or the motion rescinded. Mr Hornblow held that the subsequent adoption of the rules overrode this motion. Mrs F. Robinson said that the objects for which Easton Park was donated wifc‘e being lost sight of. It was to be a pleasure resort and not entirely given up to football. The motion on being put was lost and AH- Chrystall gave notice to again . briug the motion forward at another meeting. Several expressed the opinion that this would probably result in resignations and the break-up of the society. A motion that the Council be asked to submit a loan to the ratepayers of £I,OOO for the erection of a pavilion on Easton Park and a rest room for women was defeated on the casting vote of the chairman.