TOWN BEAUTIFICATION.

Shannon News, 23 May 1922, Page 3

TOWN BEAUTIFICATION.

PLIMMER TERRACE PLOT. CR. HYDE’S VIEWS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l regret to find it necessary to trespass on your space, but in view of the report of ,the Shannon Borough Council in your last issue, I am compelled, buth in justice to myself and the public, to contradict the statements, if your report is correct, of some of the councillors. To state the matter clearly, it is necessary for me to go back some time to when the first move was made towards beautifying. Miss Cameron, with the help of a committee of citizens, held a series of dances, and was successful in raising some money for beautifying purposes, and in this the Council gave very little assistance.. The amount raised was not enough to carry out the work planned by the Council, and I agreed to try, with the help of citizens, to add to it. The Council agreed to be a committee and assist me. The result was, as the public know, “The Eastern Charm” was produced, and between £4O and £SO was added to the fund. Not one of the councillors assisted or helped in any way, and when approached were •too' busy or had some other excuse. Some of them did- not even patronise the show when it came off. The Council now . had sufficient funds to go on with the work, but if was. the wrong time of the year for planting, so they decided to wait. Later the Roads and Reserves Committee were appointed to carry out the work, the personnel being, Crs Gardener, Hook, Spencer, Butt, Richardson and Hyde. Cr. Murray knew where split posts could be secured, and Cr. Spencer agreed to look at them, and if suitable, purchase. The Mayor and myself alone protested against split posts and advocated sawn ones. Crs. SpenCer and Murray bought and now they" criticise them. A working bee was arranged to level .the plot, l alone turned up. Cr. Richardson promised to plough hie ground, but when the time came did not do so, and so things drifted on. A few meetings ago I again asked for some assistance and on none being forthcoming, 1 started wtih the consent of the Council to carry out the work. I arranged , to have the ground ploughed free, and after the Engineer had taken levels secured Mr Cochrane to erect the fence, knowing him to have had years of experience at this class of work. I went to Cr.' Spencer and asked him to supervise' the work, and this he agreed to do. He saw the timber soon after its arrival, .and was supervising the fence when I left last Monday for Auckland. I am bound to state that his remarks as reported are not correct. Your report of the" Council, meeting in your issue of the sth inst states that Cr. Spencer was supervising the work. He was present at the meeting when I made the statement, and did not deny it. Remarks by Cr. Richardson and Cr. Murray about ‘‘old age pensioner,” etc., are really' funny, and these members are to be pitied;—their knowledge of fences and men are'limited, especially when they view work half done. It seems a pleasure for them to take up the “dog in the manger” attitude, so why deny them ' their little comfort? I might add, in conclusion, that the work at the fence and garden is being parried on and completed. I am prepared- to -ineet any of the councillors on the'platform, and let the public judge—whether they, prefer our open spaces in the town to remain rubbisl} heaps, by those who do nothing, rather than approve of an effort to make them look better.—l am, etc., A. E. HYDE.

A COMPETENT FENCE-BUILDER.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—May I, through the medium of your paper, be allowed. to correct an idea* some of the local councillors have of the workman engaged on the fence in Plimmer Terrace? Mr Thos. Cochrane, who has the contract, has been classed as an “unpractical man,” “an old-age pensioner,” and a “messer,” by men who have not onetenth part of his knowledge and experience. Mr Cochrane was for Vi years working foreman to ,the Buller County Council, and it is with his permission that I publish the following testimonial:—

“Buller County Council, “Engineer’s Office, “Westport, Oct. 14, 1919 “The bearer, Mr Thomas Coch

rane, has supervised the construe

tion of county works for the-past five years, including bridges, roads, sewers, waterworks, etc., and has given every satisfaction. “He has also assisted in setting out works, levelling and taking bearings, etc., and is thoroughly reliable.

“(Signed) THOS. THOMPSON, "County Engineer.”

Not only that, sir, but, he also has a testimonial from Mr Michael Fennell, county draughtsman, for the success-

ful carrying into working order of the Denniston sanitation scheme, which in dueled the laying of water pipes (some 60 chains), making of dam, concrete >-tanks ,etc. And some councillors, who like To hear themselves talk, think that this man cannot build a fence!—l am, etc.,

ONLOOKER