The Republican journal., 1909-06-17
The Improvement Society.


Annual Meeting and Election of Officers.
ment Society was held Monday, June 14th, at
the home of Mrs. F. W. Pote, Miss Maude E.
Barker, vice president, presiding. The routine
work and unfinished business were followed by
the reports of the secretary and treasurer
which were accepted and ordered printed in
The Journal, as usual.
THE sECRETARY's REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of the Belfast
Improvement Society: The passing of the
months has brought US to the ninth annual
meeting of our society. What the work of
these nine years represents to you individually
and to our city is no mean record. Your inter-
ests and efforts have materialized in results
which promise to be lasting lesson in civic
pride in the hearts of those who come after u.s.
We ourselves are today enjoying many advan-
tages IN local environment that are directly
resultant of the labors of our society.
We were only recently invited by one of our
teachers to visit the High school room of our
city to view specially the many beautiful pic
lures, casts and bas relief which adorn the diff
ferent rooms, and we were proud to realize
that the first picture hung and the real incen-
tive to all the other gifts was the beautiful
brown carbon of the Parthenon presented
them by our society in 1901.
To tell the story of all that has been accom-
pllshed is not my purpose at the present time,
but our citizens who are pro6ting by the con-
venlence. of water in the cemetery, or who
have for several years had free use of the pa
vilion and ovens and the privilege of the mod
ern lighthouses at nominal cost, with sundry
other improvements in and about our city, must
realize that much earnest effort has been made
to put city in the line of progression,
while every man, woman and child in our COM
nlunity should be gratified in having the pretty
park secured through our efforts. 1t is even
now pointed to by visitors as the beauty spot
of the city and with the faithful, efficient work
of the present park commissioner is certain to
be greatly improved at the end of this season.
We have each previous year been able to
show something tangible as the results of our
labors. The past year we have been practically
dormant, yet through no fault of the workers.
The primal object has not, however, been lost
sight of by the faithful few, and the courage
maintained by them is certain to create a de-
mand for the continuance of our work for civic
betterment. All unselfsh and philanthropic
work is subject to ebb and flow and we are
optimistic enough to believe that with us the
tide has again turned toward its flood
Our report today is necessarily brief. At the
beginning of the fiscal year the oven on the
shore at the park was rebuilt and caretaker
for the pavilion and lighthouses employed
from June to September at cost of $50 Dur
ing the past few months we have planted at
the park two beds of bridal wreath spirea, and
placed appropriate metal marks on all shrub
beds donated. One of our members, Miss
Maude E. Barker, has donated beds of the
SNOWFALL shrub and several mountain ash trees,
and plans are already made for other shrubs
and trees to be planted by individual members.
We have purchased new rubbish barrels,
and these with the ones previously used, have
been painted and placed by Mr.. Cunningham,
street commissioner, who has been exceedingly
,9ot,r
US.
On Memorial Day beautiful basket of flow
was purchased of Mr.. Hamilton florist, and
placed on the Nathaniel Wilson lot at the ceme-
terry.
1t is hoped that during the season several
entertainments already being considered for
the benefit of our working fund may be sue
cessfully carried out.
We have held II regular meetings during the
year and one by special call. We have 96 mem
bers in good standing. This does not include
the whole number enrolled, as some are in ar
rears. Three have withdrawn and one is de-
ceased.
In again returning to you the trust with
which you have honored me from the begin
ming also tender to you my sincere gratitude
for your unfailing kindness and courtesy.
have this year acted as your collector and
while consuming much valuable time it has yet
been pleasant task. With one or two excep-
tions everyone has been kindly disposed and
manifested an interest in the real object of
society.
In closing l would like to quote to you the
advice given kindred organization by wise
and prominent worker. DO be tactfu and if
you cannot get things done your own way, try
some other; there is more than one way to ac-
complish the same result, and remember that
words of commendation go farther than words
of criticism" Respectfully submitted
ELIZABETH L. BRACKET.