AN EFFETE BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 14535, 10 December 1910, Page 12

AN EFFETE BOARD.

to Tin: Enrroa. Sir, —The apathy and want of interest in their duties taken by the members of tho Ocean Reach Domain Board aro becoming intolerable. What is tho uso of having; a semi-moribund Board, especially as their functions are of such magnitude and importance to the public P On reading the report of this Board's proceedings at their monthly meeting yesterday it struck me as farcical that any body of nieii could make such farcical suggestions and pass such absurd resolutions. One. member suggested that tho Government should assist in extending the St. Clair baths! Are their powers so limited that this appeal to Wellington .is necessary? But The most absurd and silly resolution of all was carried when it was decided to ask tho Hon. "IT. A. Millar to propose a scheme to improve the Sandhills! Just imagine, after passing a sort, of Jtip Van Winkle life for the past eight years the Board now wake up to iind that they have neglected their duties. J suppose that, being half asleep, they decided to ask the lion, J. A. Millar to advise them wiiat to do uexi.

Is not this latest phase of utter helplessness sufficient to prove this Board's total incapacity to carry out their duties? You would notice also that the Board accepted Mr Furkert's report on the esplanade improvement question. Why? Because it no doubt suited them. and shelved the matter as far as the Board are concerned: a hint by the chairman that on account of the City Council not meeting them the Council are now blamed. What next: J Fancy a body armed with such liberal rating powers standing self-confessed of inability to conceive, powers of construction in the way of converting this splendid beach into a revenue-producing asset. 11" the City Council must do this and the Central Government do that, what is there left for this wonderfully active Board to undertake? After such a confession of impotence, had thoy not bettor perform the happy despatch, and hand their powers over to Mr Millar and his colleagues. Hut, Mr Editor, is not the state of affairs becoming much too serious? Something must surely be done to make our beach a source of" joy to ourselves and an attraction to dwellers at a distance from Duncdin. 1 understand that an election of the Board takes place next year. Surely means can be devised for replacing the present Rip Van Winkles by young, active, and progressive candidates who have the power of initiative, and who will carry out their plans with determination and enthusiasm. _But before that is dono the. public require a good (leal of enlightenment. Will you, Mr Editor, tell your renders (1) what the duties of the Board are; (2) how and by whom they are elected ; CS) arc their powers limited to the planting of marram grass and lupins ; and (-!) in what directions have the past expenditure of the Board been taken?—l am, etc., DISGI'STKI). December '■).