DOMAIN BOARD.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14761, 3 September 1913, Page 2

DOMAIN BOARD.

QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION. The Christchurch Domain Board met yesterday when there were present Messrs H. J. Beswick (in the chair), S. A. Staples, J. Jameson, C. D. Morris, W. H. Cooper, Geo. Harper, J. McCullougb, and Dr. Cockayne. Mr L. Birks, Assistant Government Electrical Engineer, forwarded a plan showing the proposed route of the underground cable crossing Hagley Park from the Addington sub-station to the city. The work of laying will be commenced in about a couple of months. _ ■ It*" was resolved to give permission subject to proper safeguards being provided for. The Hon. Secretary of the Canter:bury Lawn Tennis Association applied | for leave to lay down' asphalt courts j adjoining the Canterbury College ! grounds in Hagley Park. I Tho application was referred to the , Sports Grounds sub-committee. ! A letter was received from Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., enclosing copy of a letter sent by the Prime Minister to. tho Local Bills Committee advising that the Government could not see its way to approve of the Domains Bill unless the rights oftho-Aoclimatis atioii Society, the museum and the observatory over their areas were properly safeguarded. Tho chairman said it waa undesirable that the Acclimatisation Society should havo the fee simple of their holding, and the right to sell. Regarding the museum the-Board could gipnt a perpetual lease, the land to revert to the Board when it was no loDger required for museum purposes. The observatory was only on the Board's property on sufferance and according to the arrangement made the Board were to retain control of the area. It would be a>serious matter if vested interests wero to bo created in the way proposed, and the prciierty of tho Board whittled away. Mr Harper said the really serious point was that connected with the acclimatisation ground, for that area was only occupied by the Society as a matter of honour. The Board should not be divested of its present control oyer the acclimatisation area. It could givo the society a lease subject to control regarding' the cutting of trees, etc. Mr Staples said that the Society really possessed that tenure. It was decided to ask tho chairman to explain tho position to the Prime Minister at Wellington. The chairman said the Board might consider the question of giving the Government representation on the Board. Mr Cooper said that if the Government contributed to the Board's fundt it had a right to be represented. Dr Cockayne said the Government had given the original £3000 required for the Domain, and still had an interest in the area. The chairman said the grant of the £3000 really made the Government life members of the Board, lh any case that property was Crown property. Mr Staples said that the Government had refused to contribute while any part of the original £3000 remained unexpended. Mr Morris said that if the existence of the Bill depended upon the representation of the Government on the Board, then the principle of Government representation might be approved by the Board. He moved that thre>e Government representatives should be provided for in case of necessity. This was seconded by Mr McCJoDongh •nd parried.