KAITERITERI DOMAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 7 February 1944, Page 3

KAITERITERI DOMAIN

ITo the Editor] Sir, —The suggestions for improvements to the Kaiteriteri Domain as outlined by Ihe 44 campers referred to in your issue of 26.1.44 will, I feel sure, receive the full and sympathetic consideration of every member of the board. I notice that some of the campers have been there time and again during the holiday periods and this leads me to observe that many will remember it was only a short while ago that there were no public grounds or facilities and amenities for campers. The Domain Board was first se* up on the 18th March, 1936, and the whole area of the Domain at that time comprised a bit of rough hillside and swamp of 2 acres 0 roods 8.4 perches in extent—quite hopeless for the purpose of a camping area. The pioneer members of the board were up against an almost unsurmountable hurdle, but they made a great job of what they were able to do and they are dese-ving of our heartiest thanks. In February of 1939 four board members voluntarily resigned in order to make wav for a much wider outside representation and interest. It is interesting to note that two of these members have since returned tr the board and one of them is our present chairman. From Ihe time of the reconstruction, the board has acquired by purchase oil very favourable terms, the extensive area of flat land owned by the late Mr Sidney Rowling and the hillside on which the water supply is situated which was owned by his son. Areas have been reserved along the beach, land and caretaker’s cottage purchased, post office and store built, water supply laid on, and so on. The bathing sheds which were original Iv on the beach and built out of funds collected by the pioneer board, have been moved and re-erected on more suitable ground. The area controlled by the board to-day is slightly over 108 acres, all free of debt. All this has been accomplished with the valuable assistance of grants from the Crown. Automobile Association (Nelson), locs', j bodies and various well-wishing friends, together with amounts collected by way j of camping fees, etc. j Valuable gifts of land have been ! made of the promontory ’(old Maori j Pa) by Mr W. E. S. Rowling and the j Wakefield spring by the late Mr Sidney | Rowling. ! These are some of the principal im- ! provements made in five years by the 1 board, ably assisted by its loyal and j practical friends, all for the use, en j joyment and convenience of the generous public.

j Your signatories may be sure that the ; board will provide the extra amenities ! asked for as soon as funds are a vailI able. Land cannot be purchased in a i popular seaside area and amenities pro- ' vided without money. The board mem- ' bers give their services voluntarily, ofj ten at seme inconvenience and pay their own out-of-pocket expenses in ! order to make, any funds contributed i spin out as far as humanly rossible. I Constructive criticism is always wel- ! come: board members have an open j mind on these matters and at all times I contrive to do their best in meeting ! the wishes of those of the general pubj lie and the campers who annually take j such pleasure in visiting the Domain j and its beautiful surroundings. It seems Ito me, however, that it would have j been a wonderful gesture of New l Year’s Good Will if the 44 signatories ! had backed up their suggestions with a handsome donation in order to assist the board with the good work and its very difficult task of providing the necessary finance to have these extra improvements effected without further de>y. Such a gesture would. I am j sure, help to even more firmly ce- | ment the ever growing feeling of good j will towards the board, as trustees, by the users, who as members of the I general public are, after all, the acj tual owners of this most valuable estate. —I am, etc.. P. R. WILKINSON. Commissioner Crown Lands. Member. Kaiteriteri Domain Bpard. i Nelson, 3rd February.