THE GLENMARK OFFER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15773, 14 December 1916, Page 3

THE GLENMARK OFFER.

PATRIOTIC FUND COMMITTEE'S REPORT. At yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund, the special comniittccPappointed to visit and report on Mr R. O. Duncan's offer of his homestead of (Jlenmark for the use of returned f.uldicrs for five, years, the owner paying all rates, insurances on the building, and rente, reported as follows: — "The property consists of 222 acres of land and 8<" acres of plantations, orchards and lakes; total, 309, acres. Thirty-eight additional acrcs can be leased at. ]0s per acre. No • trees are. to be felled, but there is an abundance of firewood from dead trees and trees that have been blown, down. The lakes aro extensive, and add groat.ly to the beauty of 1-he place. Tne. property is weil sheltered by plantations and hills. The main homestead will accommodate about 10 men, and in addition there aro two cottages, washhouse, copper, meat bouse, ana another house capable of accommodating 16 additional men, together with Urge double ovens find bakehouse. There arc also blacksmith s and carpenter's shops, -with the necessary tools, etc. The property at the time of our inspection was carrying 132 j ewes and lambs, all in first-class condition. atid there was an abundance of feed. The place may be correctly described as n charming residence for soldiers requiring rest, or light work. There is every promise of nil abundance of vegetables, flowers, fruit, and walnuts, ' £230 of which have been taken off the property in one year. A field of oirts gave promise, of a. heavy yield. The well-kept lawns form the banks of an ornamental stream on which there aro swans, geese, and wild ducks, a'lld the lawns are. enriched by several peacocks. The stream provides hydroolcctricity for the whole of tho buildings, and there are very large stables with concrete' floors and loft, as well as woolshed, suitable, foj- the recreation of the men during the winter months. Your committee believe that uo more suitable borne for convalescent soldiers could be provided in any part of the Dominion, and was particularly impressed with the beauty of the surroundings. The committee decires to gratefully acknowledge the generous and patriotic offer of Mr R-. 0. Duncan, a.s the property utilised as a home, of rest for soldiers -with, shattered nerves and general convalescent men could not be surpassed. The committee recommends that immediate steps be taken to ascertain from the Returned Soldiers' Association, and any other source, -whether such a home would he availed of by returned soldiers. As a final decision cannot he made until a reply lu-s been rccc.ived from Mr Mooro consenting to a variation of the terms of the lease, the committee recommends that consideration of Mr Duncan's offer be held over until such reply is received, and it is .ascertained whether such a home would be availed of by returned soldiers."

The report was received