GILBERTIAN TOUCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 January 1929, Page 3

GILBERTIAN TOUCH

BOARD AND COUNCIL.

There was an atmosphere of Gilbert and; Sullivan about the proceedings of; the gentlemen who occupied the Greymouth Municipal Chambers last evening. They were the same individuals, but they met first as the Domain Board, and later as the Borough Council; The Domain Board was considering a motion to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for its sanction to| raise a loan for improving the Recreation Ground. Mr J. B. Kent wanted to know whether the Council had been spending money since its constitution as the Domain Board. If it had, he thought it was necessary, to open a separate account. The secretary (Mr. F. H. Denton) said that the Council had power to expend money for Domain Board purposes.

Mr. Kent reiterated that he thought the proper thing would be to open a separate account and allocate to it a certain sum.

Mr. Denton said, that the business was really done by book entry, and the balance was adjusted at the end o£ the year. The Council was empowered by law to do that.

“But they must do it in a certain manner,” said Mr. Kent, “or the auditors might object” Mr. Denton said that no sum in particular was allocated for the Domain Board. No money had been received since the Board was constituted.

In reply to Mr. J. McGinley, Mr. Denton and that nothing had yet been received from the League Centre. Letters had been sent to the sports bodies using the Recreation Ground, but the letters had not been acknowledged, except by the Rugby Union, which stated it had made no charge for admission to the Recreation Ground. Mr. McGinley moved that further letters be sent, and attention drawn to the laxity displayed. “Point of order!” exclaimed Mr. Kent. “I think, that is Borough Council business. Is the Domain Board going to instruct the Borough Council?” Mr. J. O’Brien who presided: I think the Borough Council would instruct the Domain Board. We are now' the Domain Board, and are in full charge of the Recreation Grotind. We are legally in charge now, aud that will make a difference, I think. I must rule that the motion is in order.

Mr. McGinley altered his motion to provide that all sports bodies affected be advised of the newly-constituted Board, and informed that applications and contributions will be received by the secretary. The motion was seconded by Mr. D. M. Robertson, and agreed to.