BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 309, 26 June 1912, Page 4

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. Tliore w-.s a vsmall but representative ;-ni]i:r'r;. of citizens in the Town Hull last night, at the annual meeting »f the New Plymouth .Beautifying B«niety, The president (Mr. R. C. Hughcg) wat in the chair. Til an ontl report, the president expressed regret at the death of the lat« president (Mr. G. Tiseh), who did wuck for the society, but at the same timt congratulated members upon having »uc» an energetic successor as Mayor in tha person of Mr. (1. W. Browne, wh« als« took a keen interest in beautifying th« town, as was illustrated by Wetter* Bark. During the year pressure of business compelled Mr. F. W. Sandford to resign the position of secretary. Th« work done during the year was confined chiefly to two places, Marsland Tlill and Fort Niger. Anybody who knew; Marsland Hill prior to the Society taking it in hand must, he said, feel gratified with the splendid transformation effected. Arrangements had been made, iv consideration of the Gaol authorities having the use of a paddock at the back, so that prison labor would be supplied to cut the weeds down and keep tkn place in order. The only regret hj» had in regard to Marsland Hill was that th« access from Brougham street was very, very bad. It was pleasing to not<\ however, that as soon as a spell of fin* weather happened along the work would be put in hand by the Borough Council. The Society could not claim credit for Port Niger, except for drawing attention to the necessity for improving it, and for arranging for the free uic of prison labor for effecting u number of improvements. A3 regards the future, the most important work would be thn improvement of the access to Paritutu. With the consent of the Harbor Board, and the assistance of the Society, ha hoped to see some improvement carried out. This would require funds. If possible, a good roadway would be formed leading up to Paritutu, through thn lupins. Where necessary, it would be fenced off, the idea being to make a nice pathway up to the foot of the peak, besides improving the path leading up to the top. Mr. Hughes was confident that the Society could rely upon the help of the public. It was only a question of appealing to them. Many would help, if appealed to. What was wanted vrat a little more individual effort on thn part of members. The president then went on to draw attention to the larg* amount of municipal support lent in Wellington city to beautifying parks and reserves, compared with New Ply* mouth. In the former town no less than £6309 was spent last year in this connection.

AN APATHETIC PUBLIC. Extreme regret was expressed by the Mayor (Mr. G. TV. Browne) at th« apathy of the townspeople, as reflected at the meeting that ni„'ht. Healthy surroundings, emphasised the speaker, mad* healthy people. Contrasted with New Plymouth's lack of interest, Mr. Brown* said that at Opunake something iik» £SO was raised inside of a week or so in order to improve the approach to the beach, In Wanganui and other towns the response on the part of tin public had also been very ready. Opportunity was also taken by the Mayor to point out that the borough devoted each year about £3OO towards the upkeep of reserves and the like, which was infinitely more, in proportion, tha» Wellington, with its huge revenue, contributed. If it was to contribute mor« the borough would have to strike a special rate for the purpose. The borough had taken in hand several reserves at a point where the Beautifying Association had left off, and was now maintaining them. The balance-sheet, disclosing a credit of £3 19s 2d, was adopted, and a rott of thanks accorded Messrs. Sole Bros, for the use of their ground?, Aotea, for th« purpose of a benefit in aid of th« Society's funds. Mr. R. C. Hughes was unanimously reelected president, and he also consented to act as treasurer. Mr. W. B. Davis was appointed secretary, and the election of a committee was held over, pending a larger attendance of member*.

It was decided to write to the Harbor Board for permission to carry out th« suggested improvements to the Paritutu approach and track. Among other improvements, the Society has in mind th« fencing off and planting of a 30ft. track to the foot of the peak. Mr. Sole has also suggested that the track up Paritutu should, along the top of the peak, be fenced off with strong wire-netting.