DOMAINS BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 2

DOMAINS BOARD.

INCREASED GRANT PROM CITY COUNCIL. ' 1 CONSTITUTION DISCUSSED. Tho Christchurch. Domains Board met yesterday; present—Messrs H. L dmwick (chairman), 8. A. Staples, W. H. 'Cooper, A. D. Hart and George Harper and Dr Cockayne. The action of tho chairman and Air Hart in agreeing to the head gardener s suggestions for the alteration of the old rose gardon was approved. The chairman said that the Hon H. G. Ell had resigned his seat on the Board, and the Minister of Lands had appointed Dr Cockayne in. his place. The members would appreciate the services of Dr Cockayne, and join in congratulating him on the great honour he had received recently as a New Zealand botanist. A letter was read from Mr T. H. Davey, AI.P., resigning his seat on the Board, and thanking the members for their kindness in the past. The resignations were accepted with regret.

The secretary reported that tile football clubs using North Park had agreed to pay the cost of cutting the grass on their grounds, and the work had been done. Tho City Council wrote, stating that it had decided to increase its grant to the Board to £450, subject to revision when the estimates were considered. The Council expressed the opinion that as the Government did not subsidise the Board it was not entitled to representation, and suggested . that _ the Board should promote a Bill limiting representation to bodies subscribing not less than £SO to the Board’s funds. The chairman said that it was questionable whether the Board could dictate to tho Government regarding its constitution. Mr Harper said that a Bill could bo promoted only by tho Government, as the original Act was a public Act and not a private one. Air Hart said that the Council objected principally to tho fact that the Government nominated “deadheads.” Air Cooper said that the Government had no right to nominato members of tho Board, especially us 90 per cent of tho monoy used for its upkeep cam© from tho people of Christchurch. Ho moved that the Government should bo asked to contribute not less than £SO for each member on the Board. Air Hart seconded tho motion. Mr Staples remarked that the motion was useless. Tho Board would not get the money. The motion was carried. The head gardener (Air J. Young) reported that the path in the North Park for foot traffic had been completed and the footpath in South Park was nearing completion. A commencement had been made in the horse paddock to cut out tho useless trees and for preparing tho land for tho plough. Tho general work of tho gardens had had special attention. Tho old rose garden had been removed and the land had been dug and remodelled for an ornamental shrubbery. He had made a special trip to Haniner for tho purpose of collecting native plants. Tho chairman said that Air Young had obtained a very fine collection of stuff from Hanmer, having been up most of the hilltops. A special vote of thanks was passed to the gardener for his action.