POPULARISING THE GAKDENS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16049, 3 November 1917, Page 9

POPULARISING THE GAKDENS.

BAND ROTUNDA SUGGESTED. DOMAIN BOARD AND BANDS' ASSOCIATION. A proposal calculated to popularise the Domain Gardens was brought forward at yesterday's meeting of tho Christchurch Domain Board, when ' Mr AV. H. Cooper moved that the Board consider tho question of erecting a rustic band rotunda on tho archery ground of tho Domain Gardens, or some other suitable place. Mr Cooper expressed the opinion that with facilities for bands to play on Sunday afternoons, holidays, etc., the Domain Gardens would become very popiilar with the citizens. .As a matter of fact, no finer spot could bo found on which to spentl a hue Sunday afternoon. As regards the financial aspect, ho considered that a couplo of boxes placed outside the gates would attract substantial contributions from tho public, though he was much opposed to band collectionboxes. Moreover, ho thought that the bandsmen would give considerable assistance by gratuitous performances. Mr Cooper further expressed tho opinion that patriotic funds and objects could bo helped considerably by such band concerts. Mr J. McCullough said tho United Brass Bands' Association had in view the building of a first-class rotunda :vg a fitting memorial to bandsmen who had fallen at the front. At present it was hardly possible to do so, but ho could assure the Board that tho rotunda would probably bo erected at some future date. He was opposed to tho erection of aDy rotunda on the archery ground. Mr J. Longton also opposed tho site suggested by Mr Cooper, or any other site anvwhero in the Gardens. liy tho Acclimatisation Society's gardens, and just outside the actual Domain Gardens, might make a very suitable site. If tho rotunda were in the Domain, there -would be much trouble at evening concerts by people straying away to various other parts of the gardens. He thought the Bands'" Association should bo allowed to set the matter on foot themselves. Mr H. Holland expressed a similar view, and Mr'C. D. Morris suggested that tho Board might decide on some site with a view to erecting a rotunda at some future time, with tho assistance of the Bands' Association. Tho chairman, Mr H. J. Beswick, suggested that the Bands' Association might get a wrong impression on seeing that the Board was moving in the matter, and he thought the motion might be allowed to drop for tho present, to which suggestion Mr Cooper expressed his willingness to accede. Mr Beswick said the Bands' Association should be allowed to make their own proposals to tho Board with regard to their memorial. Eventually Mr Cooper agreed to drop his motion, and a motion by Mr Morris was carried to the effect that the Bands' Association and tho Board confer as to a site. "With reference to tho 6ame matter, Mr J. Jamieson, chairman of tho Gardens Committee, who was unable to bo present, wrote stating that, as chairman of tho Gardens Committee, ho had been in touch with the . best authorities on the construction of band rotundas of the most up-to-date character. Had it not been for the war, a definite proposal and plan would have been submitted to the Board. He hoped, however, before very long to have something which would be worthy of the Christchurch Domain Board to lay before them.