NGATEA DOMAIN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32517, 15 December 1944, Page 5

NGATEA DOMAIN

DEVELOPMENT QUESTION OFFER TO COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSAL TO BE INVESTIGATED That the Ngatea Domain Board take steps to arrange for the Hauraki Plains County Council to take over all the Ngatea Domain lands and to arrange for the constitution of itself as a domain board in control, with the understanding that the council will extend and develop the area and render the same available for the playing of .sports at an early date, was a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Ngatea Domain Board and sent to the December meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council.

The secretary of the board, Mr L. E. Jackson, in a covering letter stated that at a recent meeting of his board the matter of extending and developing the domain was considered. The members of the board were concerned at their inability to provide suitable sports grounds for the district and he had been directed to advise the council in the terms of the above pro-

posal. Mr F. E. Hammond waited upon the council as a deputation on the question. He explained that the area had been in "the possession of the Ngatei Domain' Board for some years and nothing had been done. Last wintex it was decided that a football ground was needed and steps had been taken to improve the. area. Tt had been realised that the area was too small •but it was thought that something should be done before the board thought of getting extra land. When the land had been handed over by the Government there had been a condition that the Government was not to be asked for any further help. .

Benefit To District

The board had resolved, therefore that if it would in any way assist the district they were prepared to hand the area over to the council if they would undertake to develop a domain in Ngatea.

The question had been referred to Wellington recently and they were favourably disposed to secure extra land on condition that the council administered the area.

Councillors expressed the opinion that the accepting of the condition or no extra assistance from the Government was foolish.

The chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, said the council would expect fairly generous support from the public if it took over the area.

Mr Hammond said the Ngatea Football Club was- prepared to lay out a football ground. There was also, the area used by the Ngatea Tennis Club. This club was prepared to pay for the use of the courts so that they could be maintained. He suggested that some of the other small sections could be sold to assist in providing funds.

The county clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney said any money spent in purchasing extra land would not be a loss. It would be a good investment. The council could' loan the money to the •Ngatea Domain Board and had the power to do this. The clerk pointed out that the council could procure a further five acres without any expense while the domain board was not in a position to do this.

The matter was referred to the domains- committee to investigate and report back to the council.