SHOULD THE BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY CEASE?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3049, 17 June 1926, Page 3

SHOULD THE BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY CEASE?

AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. DECISION TO CARRY ON THE GOOD WORK. MORE FINANCE REQUIRED. At Tuesday night’s annual meeting of the Foxton Beautifying Society, Mr. Christie, after complimenting the Society on its good work, suggested that the Society should be wound up and the credit balance of £BO odd handed over to the Borough Council which body should now carry on the good work done by the Beautifying Society. Mr. Admore said the suggestion was a. good one. The Beautifying Society had done good work, but its funds were nw practically depleted and they had no chance of getting anything else from the public. He considered that £BO, together with Council assistance, should be sufficient to keep a caretaker employed for three years at least. If the Society adopted the suggestion, their term of good office was done until more money was raised. The town certainly had been greatly improved by the activities of the Society, but there was no possible hope of augmenting their now depleted funds with the baths question and Tennis Club effort before the public. The President (Mr. Perreau) said that he felt disappointed to hear of such a suggestion. Wfithin a year the borough may have a very different Council at the head of affairs and these men might not be at all sympathetic to beautifying work. The Society could go on with very little expense. He ventured to say that under the jurisdiction of the Council, the work of the Society would not receive the same attention as it was getting at present. The present Council was certainly sympathetic to the movement, but there was no knowing what the feeling of the next Council would be. He strongly urged the Society to keep going as long as possible and possibly at a later date some effort, could be arranged lo augment their funds. Mr. Admore said that he had merely spoken on the matter in order that it should receive full discussion. Mr. Rimmer said that if the Society was wound up and later a further sum of money was raised they would have lo start at the beginning again. Tie advocated the carrying on of the Society as long as possible. The meetings could be cut down to two or three a year though. Mr. Christie said that the Society could not go to the Council and ask them to adopt “the baby” without a premium. They had £BO to offer with it now.

Mr. Peryman said that be did not think such a drastic step should be token that night, with such a poor attendance. Personally, be would lie sorry lo see the Beautifying Society Igo out olf existence. The Council would certainly not take the some interest in the matter ns the Society did. It was the Beautifying- Society’s job. He strongly urged the carrying on of affairs by the present body and spoke of the difference a Beautifying Society made to a town. The first impression a person got of a place was a lasting and impressive one. He was sure that passers through Foxton must, lake notice of the Courthouse corner and Ihakara Gardens and remark that “here’s a town that takes an interest in its surroundings." Rev. Walton agreed with Rev. Pcrvman’s views. He also supported the suggestion that meetings be held but a few times a year — quarterly be suggested. He also suggested the amalgamation of the Beautifying and Horticultural Societies although this, be said, would be a difficult proposition. He advocated the planting of the hill at the south end of the town with shrubs. Mr. Admore said he was quite in accord with the views expressed. He did not think the Society should lie dropped. Mr. Christie said be was glad the matter bad been given full discussion. He was also quite in accord with their good work. It was decided, however, that meetings be held quarterly in future.