ROBYN PARKES
The movement to form a society to take in hand the beautifying of the city was decided at a largely-attended public meeting in August 1911.
The new Nelson Beautifying Society, with Percy Adams as president, was launched with great enthusiasm and the future workings of the society looked bright. All classes of the community attended with a large proportion of those present being the younger Nelsonians who appreciating that their citizenship had some obligations and came forward to do their part in developing the city.
The new committee suggested that the first area to be dealt with should be the north side of the Botanical Reserve with a working bee organised for the first Monday in August.
It was also hoped that during the first year work would be carried out along the Maitai from Bridge St to Trafalgar St.
Also, for the stretch between Trafalgar and Collingwood St bridges it was planned to make this one of the prettiest of walks, but a road was needed and had to be formed first.
A low membership fee was fixed in order to gain funds for the work.
The society proposed that the city be divided into four wards to ensure operations would be spread over the entire city and would also create some friendly competition.
The wards were formed – Brook, Waimea, Wood and the Port were suggested.
At a later date the Port ward was thought to be too big so another ward covering Washington Valley was added.
Sub committees were formed for each ward. The Washington subcommittee had Mr W Gee at the helm as chairman.
The boundaries were Washington Rd, Hastings St, the Valley proper, one side of Russell St, then along the hills are far as Flagstaff Rd.
One of their first points of action was to approach the Council requesting that they fill in the land at the mouth of the valley as it was an eyesore.
A working bee of residents was organised within a week of being formed to begin preparations for extensive planting in the area.
Holes were dug from near the Railway station right along Washington Rd to the junction as well as the other side, Hastings St.
Trees were sourced and a start was made with planting the same evening.
Mrs W. McGee, wife of the chairman, planted the first tree being a Judas tree, a native of Southern Europe, which had shining leaves and bore red flowers.
Underneath the tree was placed a bottle containing copies of the Evening Mail in which appeared the notice calling for the formation of the valley committee and an issue of the Mail reporting on the meeting.
Other trees planted included Catalpa speciosa (United States); white birches; the ornamental Ailanthus (or Tree of Heaven), a deciduous tree from China; the Mountain Ash (or Rowan Tree): flowering Ashes, the Liquidambar (or Sweet Gum) from North America, Dogwood trees, larches and limes.
The next activity was to improve the triangle located at the junction of Hastings and Washington roads.
The residents in Washington Valley ward were requested to meet at the triangle every Monday and Friday night at 6.30 for one hour’s work.
The triangle was opened on 25 October, 1911 and was given the name ‘Adam’s Triangle’ after Percy Adams, who was the society president.
Three trees were planted by the three oldest residents and the whole area had been planted with annuals in arranged borders.
Games for the children were organised and afternoon tea provided by the ladies of the area.
A neat fence was built as a gift from Mr Adams and two iron seats were provided for visitors to sit and admire the beds.
