CONFLICT OF VIEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10133, 10 June 1924, Page 5

CONFLICT OF VIEWS.

CUTTING THE DOMAIN FENCE.

INFLUENCE OF THE A.A.A.

MR HORRILL DISGUSTED. In slicing off/ a few feet of the long macrocarpa hedge bordering the Domain along West Street, the Borough Council has, according to one of its members, sliced off appreciable pieces of their popularity, but according to others the popularity of the town council has been immeasurably enhanced. After having been assured that the cutting of the hedge had been done with the sanction of the Domain committee, Mr C. F. Horrill, at the Council meeting last night, exressed his deep regret that the work should have been performed. The beauty of the Domain was in its privacy and seclusion. In any case it had been cut too low. "I object to it," he said, "and it is a pity it should have been done." He did ,_ ot know what the people who used .lie Domain for sports purposes thought, but he knew, as a .ratepayer, what the ratepayers were He was convinced that the Council had fallen into, the hands of the Advance Ashburton Association.

Mr John Watson explained the reason why the. hedge was cut so low. When the work was started it was found that, in order to make a presentable job of the hedge they would have to follow the mark of a previous cut, and this was done. It could not be helped. "It is simply a case of history repeating itself," he said dryly. Mr R. M. Dunlop, as head of the Reserves Committee, stoutly defended the action of the curator and all concerned in the matter. Ujitil he came to the meeting that night he' had heard nothing but commendation bestowed on the curator in his efforts to improve the Domain. A man who travelled here every year from Christchurch had said he knew the Domain was somewhere behind the hedge, but until the hedge was cut he had no idea of the attractiveness of the beyond. The Advance Ashburton Association had not exercised any influence in the matter. The work had been done in the interests of the beautification of the Domain and the town. Mr Horrill: Question! Mr Dunlop: "The Domain is a kind of park." Mr Horrill: It is not a park. Mr Dunlop: It is really a park where Mr Horrill: It is a domain.

Mr Dunlop: It is a park. It is not a bush where people can go and hide. It is a park where people can go and see everything there is to see. It is not usual to have a native bush in the middle of the town. The place is there for the ornamentation and beautification of the town in every way. As the years go by the Domain will get more beautiful on < account of the trees reaching greater age. What has been done will enhance the beauty of the Domain in the eyes of the public. (Applause from Mr H. R. C McElrea.) Mr Horrill pushed his chair back and declared disgustedly that it was a downright shame. ,