DOMAIN BOARD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14907, 4 March 1914, Page 5

DOMAIN BOARD.

YESTERDAY'S MEETING

The Christclrarch Domain Board met yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs H. J. Beswick (chairman), Geo. Harper, "W. H. Cooper, J. Jamieson, S. A. Staples, and Dr. Cockayne. The hon. secretary of the City and Suburban Cricket Association made application for the lease of tho whole of the sports' area at Pilgrims' Corner. It was decided to reply that the Board would be quite prepared to consider an application from the Cricket Association for an area in the. South Park. Subsequently a deputation from the Association waited on the Board. Mr "W. O. H. Wigley said that about thirteen to fifteen acres would be required, for the Association comprised about 720 members at present, and it was expected that that number would be largely increased next season. The chairman said, on the basis of what other clubs paid, the rental for thirteen acres would be about £65 per annum. It would be for the Association to say what assistance it could give in the way of preparation of the ground. Mr Jamieson said it would be a good idea to allow the Association to have the area, for the Association could then allot the different grounds to the club. The chairman said the area would require draining, and it might be reasonable for the Board to do the draining and to ask tho Association to bear the cost of laying out the grounds. It was much better to keep all. the cricket grounds together. Messrs Staples, Jamieson, and Beswick wero appointed a committeo to go into the matter of draining tho area in the South Park. It was also- decided io inform the Cricket Association that if terms could be arranged the Board would favourably consider an application for a ground in the Souih Park. The Controller and Auditor-General wrote regarding certain items objected to by the Audit office, and called upon members to make the necessary refund, failing which it would be necessary to surcharge the members for the amount under the Public Revenues Act.

The chairman explained that the items objected to were £3 2s 6d for the chairman's expenses in visiting Wellington in connexion with tho Board's BUI, and £10 paid to tho family of Mr Taylor, who was for many years gardener for the Board.

On the motion of Mr Cooper, it was decided to receive the lefter.

The Canterbury College Tennis Club applied for a better water supply. It was decided to allow the club to connect with an artesian well on tho site of the Domain Maori Pah.

The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society wrote regarding the unsatisfactory condition of the Society's grounds in the Domain.

The chairman said fhe better plan would be for the Board to keep tho grounds in order at an annual charge, to be agreed on.

The Curator reported that the sum of £74 17s would be required to repair and renovate the buildings m the South Park.

The Board decided to carry out tho work.

The Curator reported that the first section o*f the new fence on Lincoln road was completed. The second of eleven cVinins would l>e completed this week. The work on the river bank was also well advanced. The removal of grass on the College* boundary was also almost completed. All eeneral work in the Gardens was well forward. The area of the V.M.C.A. cricket ground was three acres and fifteen perches. Two fires occurred on Sunday last, one in Helmore's plantation, and tho other in the South Park near the caretaker's cottage.

Dr susrp'p'ted thnt +he plantation of Fnpikh oaks should ho trnnted in tho manner, namely. that the ground be planter! with anemones and wild 'hyacinth. That world nrovide a bit of real England in the PnrTt.

TTif suggestion was approved by the Board.