THE DOMAINS’ UPKEEP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 2

THE DOMAINS’ UPKEEP.

PROTEST FROM WAIMAIRI COUNTY. ENDORSED BY SPREYDON BOROUGH COUNCIL. At last night’s meeting of the Sprcydon Borough Council a letter was received from the Waimairi County Council, protesting against the decision of the Christchurch Domains Board to demand £199 from the county and £399 per annum in tlie future. The letter stated that no consideration had been given to the fact that the Domain existed entirely for the benefit of the citizens of Christchurch and was used very little, if at all, by the_ people of tho outlying districts. Under the scheme now decided on a resident of tho Harewood Road or of Belfast was called upon to pay tho same amount, valuation for valuation, as a citizen of tho city, who probably made constant use of the Domain. The Council in tho past had been paying £SO per year, and to be called upon to pay nearly eight times as much was utterly unjust and unreasonable. Christchurch, deriving the advantages, should nav threefourths of the amount required from rates. The injustice of the situation was emphasised by the fact that tho Waimairi County contained no loss than three public reserves, which meant a charge of £223 on the rates. Councillor W. H. Winsor moved that the protest should bo endorsed. He said he agreed heartily with the attitude of the Waimairi County in the matter. He suggested that if tho Domains Board wanted money it should cut tip into building sites that portion of th° Domain running from the Carlton Bridge to Fendalton, and lease them out. The rental income would not be less than £ISOO ner annum. At present that part of tho Domain had a somewhat unenviable reputation, and would bo considerably improved by carrving out the scheme ho suggested. The resolution was carried unanimously.