DOMAIN BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 154, 5 August 1914, Page 3

DOMAIN BOARD.

NOTE OF WARNING. A meeting of ;the Domain Board was held last evening, when Mr H. J. Beswick occupied the chair. There were also present: Messrs H. Holland, G. W. Smithson, C. D. Morris, F. A. Anderson, and Dr Levinge. Mr Beswick said that he thought'that even a-meeting of a pacific institution should not pass without some reference to the shadow' hanging over the civilised world. The board should, as the administrators of a luxury, set an example of economy in the most rigid way. The foreman should be asked to attempt no new works. It was possible that .later -everybody,- high and low, would have to make' some sort of sacrifice. AIL public bodies would doubtless have to do this. - ■'•'■•••• Mr Holland said that the remarks of the chairman did not appeal to him. Re would like to see the board try to find employment rather than increase unemployment. He did not think that the board could help by dismissing any of its employees. The fact of the war had not altered the position of the board. Dr Levinge dissented from the views of the Mayor very strongly, and agreed with Mr Beswick. People had been living luxuriously, and if the Empire was at stake they might all be called upon to make very great sacrifices. The chairman's remarks were most opportune. It was possible that the board would have to reduce its staff, and it was just and proper that people should realise that fact and be told about it now. The chairman's note of warning was most timely. Mr Morris said that he agreed with Mr Beswick, but he did not see any reason for - the discharge of any employees. Mr'Beswick said that he did not propose any such procedure as the discharge of employees, but all classes might have to make sacrifices, and the board's. revenue was not nearly as large as it should be. It wa» quite possible that, all legal debts would be made irreeo\truble. It was only a note of warning that he wished to sound. He did not wish to affect any one class just beoausc i hat class was the one that would feel i 4: the most. The Town Clerk of the Lyttelton Borough Council wrote thanking the board for the plants sent down for the town reserves. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., wrote asking the board to 'send some of the self-sown seedlings of English trees from the Domain to the Westland Racing Club. Mr Beswick said he thoughtthat no such letter should have been seut to the board, and personally he rather resented it. It was not for any member of the board to order anything, like that. (Members, Hear, hear.) He would move that the letter should be received. Mr Holland seconded this motion, and it was. carried without dissent. H. Woods, secretary to the Professional Baud wrote, asking the board's permission to play a programme of selected music in the Domain Gardens on Sunday afternoon next, in aid of a member in. indigent circumstances. It was decided to refer the letter to the chairman with power to act, as it was doubtful whether the precedent should be granted when the purpose of the band concerned was not to benefit some public charity. The financial statement showed receipts .amounting to £49 4/- aud expenditure £361 6/9. Accounts amounting t0,£32 0/4 were passed for payment. A Finance Committee was appointed as follows:—Messrs Anderson, Harper, Dr Levinge, and the chairman, cxofficio. It was decided that the committee should be convened half an hour before each meeting of the board. The foreman reported that the boys of the West Christehureh School scattered lunch papers over the part of the park nearest the school. Mr Beswick suggested "that the headmaster should be written to with respect to the matter. It was almost impossible to imagine the litter on the ground: About seven or eight acres was littered in this manner. Mr Holland mentioned that at the Municipal Conference a remit had passed to the effect that no borough outside the jurisdiction of any domain board should be rated for the upkeep of any domain. The matter was reopened and Mr Holland spoke on the subject. Then the motion was thrown out on the yoiees. Mr Beswick said that the Mayor

should be, thanked for his efforts on behalf of the board.

It was decided to place on record the board's high appreciation of the generous gift of the late Mrs Townend of the conservatory from Holly Lea and tender the board's sincere thauks to the trustees for their cheque for £594 covering the cost of removal and reerection.