BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2588, 2 June 1923, Page 3

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Poxton Beautifying Society was-held in the Town Hall supper-room on Thursday night. Mr Perreau (president) occupied the chair and there was an attendance of about 40. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET.

The annual report was read as follows: — Ihakara Gardens: The concrete paths and steps and concrete foundations for seats were laid. Mr Climie drew the plans and specifications and Mr Hunt carried out the work. An iron gate was erected and shrubs that had died were replaced. The society approached the council asking them to erect a rest-room in the gardens and form a footpath along the south side, but both requests were unsuccessful.

Easton Park(The roadway in was cleared and formed, the Council supplying the material and the society the labour. It was found necessary to erect two breakwinds across the entrance to protect the shrubs. A boxthorn hedge was planted round three sides. Street planting has been carried out in Park Street, part of Main St. pnrt of Avenue Road, and part, of Union St. Where necessary shelters were erected and the trees have done very well.

During the year tenders were called for the position of caretaker and Mr Newth was appointed. The committee is pleased with the way in which he is carrying out his duties.

An application to the Council in October last for assistance in maintenance work resulted in a grant of £lO for this purpose. A motion was introduced to add to Rule 2 “to give the society power to use its funds for building purposes as well as for beautifying work.” This was submitted to the vote and was rejected. The work in hand consists in further street plating and in replacing trees and shrubs that have died in the Park and gardens and in the streets already planted. A maerocarpa hedge to be planted along the south side of Easton Park and the ake ake hedge in Ihakara gardens to be completed.

The balance-sheet showed that £222 Os 5d had been expended during the year and the balance in band was £327 10s 2d.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr Hornblow congratulated the society on its operations and referred to the happy inspiration that had brought it into existence. He deplored the destruction of native bush and referred to the State Forestry Department’s re-afforestation scheme. The Beautifying Society’s work was on similar lines in beautifying their home town. The transformation of the old cemetery from an eye-sore to a beauty spot, apart from the other good work accomplished, had alone justified the existence of the society. He hoped that they would all unite to carry out the objects which formed the constitution of the society, the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, to preserve beautiful scenery and to protect native bush. The amount of money expended during the year gave some idea of what would be required in the future and any attempt to divert the money for objects outside the scope of the society should be stopped.

The Chairman said the object was to make Foxton one of the prettiest towns on the coast. He said the funds of the society would be carefully guarded and hoped that the society would continue its work for many years to come and said a good deal of money would be required for maintenance of the work already carried out.

The report- and balance-sheet were adopted.

The Mayor moved a vote of thanks to the President for the work and enthusiasm he had displayed. Votes of thanks were also passed to Mrs Moore (secretary), and Robertson (treasurer). ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers "were elected without opposition: Patron: Mr A. S. Easton; president: Mr M. E. Perreati; vice-president Mrs F. Robinson; secretary and treasurer Mr F. Rimmer; committee, of 12, Mesdames P. Easton, Moore, MeMurray, Symons, Perreau, Miss Speirs, Messrs Revs. Walton and F. McDonald, Symons, Banks. Hollings and H. Osborne; auditor, Mr Jackson. NOTICE OF MOTION. The Rev. Mr Walton moved a notice of motion to the effect that once a motion had been defeated it should not be again brought forward for twelve months, or until the annual meeting. The mover said his object was to prevent a motion which had been defeated coming up again and again, against the will of the majority.

The Mayor said the motion was undemocratic.

Mr Walton said he knew the Mayor would bite (laughter). The Mayor had brought motion after motion after being defeated and nearly wrecked the society. Just before the Mayoral election he wrote to the society stating that he had dropped the matter. Now the election was over he was bringing the matter forward in another way. The motion was carrried by a large majority. APPLICATION FOR GRANT - FROM THE COUNCIL. An application was made for a grant of £2so' from the Borough Council for the purpose of erecting a pavilion on Easton Park. Mr Hornblow moved that the re-

quest be not granted. In doing so he referred to the setting aside of £250 for a pavilion in Easton Park in accordance with Mr Black’s original scheme. This scheme had been abandoned and the vote lapsed. The rules of the society which had been adopted, precluded the money being so expended. The Mayor had endeavoured to have the rules altered and had been defeated.

The motion was seconded by Mr McMurray. The President moved an amendment that the society grant the Borough Council £250 for the purpose of erecting a pavilion on Easton Park on condition that the Borough Council repay the amount over a period of 10 years at the rate of £3O per year.

The amendment was seconded by the Mayor. Both motion and amendment were warmly discussed at length by members and the amendment on being put was defeated by a large majority and the motion carried. A motion rescinding a minute setting aside £250 for a pavilion on Easton Park was carried. It was decided to recommend that the committee spend £IOO on Easton Park, £SO on Victoria Park, £SO on street planting and £SO on improvements to the vacant land at the north entrance to the borough. It was resolved that the Borough Council be recommended to terminate the agreement with the Rugby Union re the playing of football on Easton Park. A number of new members were elected.

The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.