WAKARI IMPROVEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 11

WAKARI IMPROVEMENTS

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING The first annual meeting of the Wakari Improvement Society was held on Saturday last when there was a full attendance of members presided over by the chairman, Mr W. S. Cubitt. ANNUAL REPORT The annual report stated that the first aim of the society had been partly achieved in that a three months' trial bus service had been instituted by the Dunedin City Tramways Department at the beginning of June. The original trial period had elapsed on August 31, but it was gratifying to note that the Tramways Department has found the results of the first three months sufficiently satisfactory to warrant a recommendation to the council for a further three months' trial. It was a recommendation from the outgoing committee to the new committee that representations should be made to the council with a view to having this further trial period extended. In view of the distance from the upper portion of the district to the nearest fire alarm point, an application had been made to the Dunedin Fire Board for an extension of the system to provide alarm facilities for the upper portion of Wakari district. Throughout the year numerous matters concerning streets, footpaths, etc.. had been brought to the notice of the council through the town clerk, and it had been gratifying to the members of the committee to find that in the main most of the matters brought forward had received prompt attention. Some slight improvement in the lighting of the streets of the district had been effected, but more improvement was necessary before it could be considered that the district was adequately lighted. The statement of receipts and expenditure could be considered satisfactory, considering the small subscription of 2s per annum. The major amounts expended during the financial year were associated with the incorporation of the society.and the printing necessary at the outset. The principal expenses of the past year, therefore, were non-recurring, and in having a credit balance to commence the coming year, the society could be reasonably certain of carrying on at the present amount of subscription. The committee recorded its appreciation of the courtesy accorded the society by the School Committee in providing facilities for both the monthly committee meetings and general meetings when necessary. Moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman briefly outlined the various works carried out by the society since its inauguration, and particularly referred to the fact that the society had been successful in having a trial bus service commenced. Mr Cubitt urged those present strongly to make as much use as possible of the bus and to encourage its use by others with a view of having the service made permanent. He mentioned the assistance and ready response received from the Dunedin City Council in regard to any matters brought to its notice, and referred to the improvements effected in street lighting in addition to many other works of value to the district. He also referred to the cooperation which had been given the society by various property owners in the district in the cutting back of overhanging trees and hedges. The report was adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Chairman, Mr W. S. Cubitt; vice-chairman, Mr C. J. Robinson: secretary and treasurer, Mr R. T. Stedman; committee—Mrs J. Bauld, Mrs W. S. Cubitt, Messrs C. W. M'Donald, John Bain, jun., W. T. Millar, Thomas Graham, Roy Millar, and D. Willis: auditor, Mr John W. Jowsey. Dr D. G. M'Millan. M.P., was present for a short time and gave a short address, in which he stressed the value to the district of an organisation of householders and ratepayers in bringing before the local authorities and the Government any matters affecting the welfare of the district. At the conclusion of the business a social gathering was held, musical items being rendered by Mrs Stedman's party and Mr G. Swan, while Miss Freda Cubitt entertained with elocutionary items. A vote of thanks was accorded the performers.