DOMAINBOARD.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13101, 28 April 1908, Page 4

DOMAINBOARD.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Domain Board held yesterday was attended by Messrs H. J. Beswick (chairman), T. H. Davey. M-P-, H. G. EU. M.P.,G. 'Witty, .M.P., \V. H. Cooper, W. Dunlop, H. P. MtirrayAynsley, S. A. Staples, and B. P. Manhire. . . , ... In reviewing the work of the year, the Chairman st: I that in order to catch the season, tue work of restoring the Exhibition site, had been pushed on as energetically as possible; the Board had now an excellent water.supply; the propagating plant had been substantially increased; the erasing rents bad improved; the City .Council had increased its contribution, and everything was now in a fair way towards enhanced success, so far os the funds available would permit. On the motion of Mr Murray-Ayns-lejs (who .warmly eulogised the excellent work done by the Chairman during the past term) Mr Beswick was reelected Chairman for the ensuing year. * The balance-sheet, duly audited and showing a credit balance of £38 4s 7d, assets £1527 2s, and liabilities £59 7s od, was received and approved. The sub-committee appointed for the purpose, reported recommending that all glass, stones, etc., be cleared away from the site of the late Exhibition ; the temporary fences to be used for new fences as far as possiblo; the surface of the soil broken and disturbed by tho Exhibition and other buildings to bo ploughed, harrowed, and laid down in grass; an excavation to be made at the low-lying portion near the

pines for tho purpose of a miniature hike, this to De connected with Victoria Lake by means of a culvert, the soil taken out to be utilised for filling up where required ; owners of buildings, etc., on the Exhibition ground to Dfc notified to remove them within fourteen days. Mr Davey commended the proposal to form a second lake and suggested that it be not less than an acre and a half in «xtent, with an island in the centre for the accommodation of wild fowl.

The report was adopted, and the sub-committee was authorised to carry out the work proposed. The resignation of Mr W. McMillan as a member of the Board was accepted with regret, and it was decided to request tho Sehvyn County Council to appoint a successor. The head gardener's report stated that a fresh supply of roses was required at once tor tho current planting; that upwards of a quarter of a ton of bulbs (principally narcissi) had been planted among the shrubberies; permission was asked to break up and prepare portion of the uncultivated | part of ground known as the old deer !j park; extra labour was required for ! some time; the state of the fences and gates in several portions of the park required attention. The sum of £8 was voted for new rose trees; the curator was authorised to employ two extra men, for a month; the Garden Committee was instructed to look into the state of the fences and j gates. j " On Mr Witty* s motion, it was decided to give what plants that could bu spared to the Hornby Domain. On the proposition of Mr Ml, it was resolved to install a rock garden for Alpine plants. Accounts amounting to £154 7s od were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.