DOMAIN BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11870, 20 April 1899, Page 2

DOMAIN BOARD.

A meeting of the Christchurch Domain Board was held at the City Council Chambers yesterday; present —Messrs W. Jacques (chairman), R. J. S. Harman, R. Westenra, H. Murray-Aynsley, G. Louisson (Mayor of Christchurch) and T. H. Davey (Mayor of St Albans). The head” gardener, in his report, stated that the past season had been an unusually favourable one, and its effects laid been a source of remarks on the part of visitors. He believed there was a growing and keen desire on the part of the public tor general improvcment of the city reserves, and he made suggestions for the improvement of the domains. He suggested the established of an efficient water supply, and, in connection with this, a scheme for the irri gallon of borders, flower beds and lawns. At the same time, a fernery of hardy New Zealand and other ferns, with a grotto and rockery, could be arranged. A fountain might bo erected of sufficient size to supply an aquarium for lilies and other aquatic plants. In connection . with this, a more central display of spring and summer flowers could be made, taking the character of a parterre. The walks also required attention, and the overcrowded shrubs might be arranged to relieve the “ here and there ” baldness of the garden effects. The glass-houses and pits were quite inadequate and antiquated, sind the annual expenditure on them did not lead !o any real improvement. The foot-bridges were' suffering from the effects of time, while in the parks'the chief requirements were those of renewal and repairs of gates and fences, and a general sharpening no of walks and rides. The usual carelul survey by the Board of the trees to be thinner! and pruned would again be required m the near future. In the ro igln'r portions of the Domain it would be desirable, if possible, to clear away all the' scrub growth. In the matter of the use of the parks for popular demonstrations, suitable provision should lie made for the enforcement of order and decency. The ranger had had to spend a considerable time in completing the clearingup after the Band of Hope demonstration on Easter Monday.

The members agreed that, in the present state of the Board’s funds, it would be useless to discuss the proposals made. With respect to the last clause, it was decided to write to the Band of Hope Union, asking the authorities to make proper provision n future.

Mr Harman said that the trustees now had an opportunity of investing £IOOO of the capital which was lying idle. A letter was read 'from the Model Yacht Club, complaining of damage done by the children attending the Band of Hope demonstration in Hagley Park on Easter Mon day. Three large planks and some barrels, value £l, had been smashed, as well as a quantity of new timber placed there for the erection of the club’s pavilion. No attempt bad been made to-restrain the children, and the President, when appealed to, had disclaimed any responsibility. It was decided to apply to the Band of Hope Union for £1 to cover the damage, and, in the meantime, to withhold the deposit. Mr H. J. Eeswick. on behalf of the Christchurch Polo Club, asked if the Board would meet a committee of the club to arrange for more planting round the pavilion in the South Park.

The Chairman and Messrs Harman anl Westenra were appointed a committee to meet the club’s committee.

The St Albans Borough Council applied for permission to divert the' course of the River Avon, w ch at the Carlton Mill Road had undermined the protective works.

In reply to Mr Harman, the Mayor of St Albans said the work would involve cutting off a portion of the Domain. Mr Harman said the land.was vested in the Crown, and he doubted whether the Board could give permission. It was decided to request the Government to send an engineer to inspect the place. The Rev S. J. Baker, on behalf of the Evangelical Churches, wrote, applying for permission to conduct services at Victoria Lake on Sunday afternoons during the summer. ; , ' ... Mr Louisson said that- be did not think that permission should be given. There were plenty of churches in Christchurch, and preachers at almost every corner. The park was intended for recreation, and those people who went to the lake to enjoy themselves did not go to hear preaching. Mr Dav tt asked whether, there would oe any objection to the Churches holding services where they would not annoy other people. . , Mr - Westenra moved, and the Mayor ol Christchurch seconded —“ That the application for permission to hold services at the lake be not granted.” Mr Davey suggested that an addition should be made, “ but that permission be granted to hold services in some other portion of the domain.” ■ lb was finally resolved not to grant the present application, but that if another application were made the Board would consider the question of apportioning some other place in the park. _ The Under-Secretary of the Department of Lands wrote, in reply to an application to the Government for assistance, tnat the application could not be granted while the Board bad £ll6O of capital uninvested The Secretary read a reply which he had sent, drawing attention to the fact that the domain had previously been maintained by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, and it might fairly be assumed that, on the abolition, the General Government had taken over the Provincial Government s responsibilities. When the £3OOO bad been originally banded over to the trustees, investments had been easier to obtain. and interest had been better. If the £ll6O not invested were to be invested now it would bring in very little; _ . In reply to this the Under-Secretarv of Lands wrote that the application- must be declined for the present. , It was decided to request the Government to bring in a Bill,'so as to allow the £3OOO in the bands of the trustees to be placed at the disposal of the Board, under certain conditions, for the carrying out of permanent works. The meeting then closed. ■