Tokomairiro Domain Board.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 63, 9 August 1906, Page 5

Tokomairiro Domain Board.

PROPOSED PARK FOR MILTON.

A moeting of members of the above Board was held in the Coronation Hail on Tuesday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs D. Reid (Mayor of Jos. Mosloy, Jno. Tough, J» Adam (Bruce County Council), ai d T. G. Henderson. Mr D. Reid, successor to Mr W. Moore, by virtue of his office occupied the chair. Mr F. Thomson, ex-aecretary to Milton Cricket Club, wrote under date May Ist. askiog for refund of 14s, amount paid to Mr Charters for work done at the domain in October 1904. He had intended to •apply for n-fund at a previous date, but failed to do so, owing to important changes taking place in tha. constitution of the Board—Mr Tough moved that the amount be rt'fandod.—Seconded by Mr Mosley, and agreed to . MrJas. B. Norrie wrote to the effect that he had been paying rent for lease of 12 acres of the Domain, whereas the Valuation Department Bet down the area At 10 acres; it trie Department was corrcct he was paying rent for two acres more than ho ought.—Members appeared unaware of the exact areas leased by Messrs Norrie and C. N. Draper, and on the motion of Mr Mosley, seconded by *Mr Henderson, it was decided to ask Mr Jas. Adam to make a rough survey of the properties. Mr John Glenn's account for £l2 15s 6d for labor was passed for payment. PROPOSED PARK. The clerk presented specifications for works —flood gates, etc. —passed at last meeting, and remarked that tlje creek had been so high up to the present that it was impossible to do the work. In reply to a question by Mr Mosley, the clerk 'stated that the board had a credit balance of £137.

Mr Mosley Baid the Domain could be much improved, and made a beauty upot for Milton. At present they were receiving £3 per year rent for grazing cows, and were proposing to spend jE4otokeep the cows in; they should rather spend money to keep cows out. ,He did not wish to cast any reflections on their predecessors on the Board, but the present members should be live men, and go in for improving the domain. It was a pretty place, and they ought to adopt some definite plan for improving it. It cou!d be made a beauty spot, and the Board had funds at its disposal. He moved that the Board obtain the opinion of some person versed in landscape gardening, and that he be asked to draw up a plan for improving the grounds. Mr Adam seconded the motion. He remarked that the Board shou'd put up fences to keep cattle out of the domain, not to keep'them in. The whole of the domain was for recreative purposes; it would be required in future years even moie than what it was now. They should have a definite plan to work on, and do a little each- year. They would require to spend a certain sum in improving their tenants'»properties—drainage, etc. The Chairman remarked that- it waß not judicious expenditure, to receive £3 per year rent, and spend i£4o. If they adopted a scheme of improvement it was always competent for them to spend a certain sum each year, as the revenue came in, and in a few years they would have a pretty domain. He thought it would t be advisable to seeure a report from an expert like Mr Tannock, curotor oi the Botanical Gardens, Dunedin.

Mr Mosley stated that he did not desire to take away any portion of the ground devoted to national pastimes, but merely to improve the surroundings. He gave notice of motion that the motion passed at previous meeting re erection of flood gates be rescinded. Mr Adam movtd that tho Chairman and Mr Mosley interview Mr Tannock, with a view to that gentleman visiting Milton, and reporting on improvements to the domain.—Seconded by Mr T. G. Henderson, and agreed to. Mr Tough suggested that a number of the blue gums be cut down.—Held over pending Mr Tannock's report. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 4th.