THE DOMAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 153, 10 May 1864, Page 3

THE DOMAIN.

The accounts of the Public: Domains Board, fcr the years 1802 and 1803, have just, ticen published, and show us the cost at which we have the privilege of a walk in the Auckland Domain. L'ubiic reserves, for providing air and exorcise, for the people of a city, as it. increases in extent mid population, whether under the name of parks, domains, or gardens, are looked upon as one oi" the principal requirements to be met in laying out a city, and the judgment ami liberality displayed in the selection of the large and beautiful piece of ground devoted to this purpose in Auckland, cannot lie too Jiighl}' commended ; and as the city becomes larger, and the want, of air more urgent, the value of it will be more and more appreciated. The sum expended upon the domain for the last two years, namely, 451,251 appears large when viewed in relation to the amount of work shown, hut it must be remembered that young trees newly planted do not make much show for the iirst two or three years, and that grounds of that extent laid out with paths, which must he kept clean and live from weeds, must, give full employment to at least three men, which, we believe, is the number employed in

the care of the domain. The wages of those men, £'30 per - month, forms the principal item of expenditure, ami if will lie found on consideration, that, they are not expensive, X 2 10s. weekly, for each, would amount to that sum. It is undeniable that, as far as they have been proceeded with, ilil 1 arrangement and laying out oi" tin* grounds exhibit great taste ami skill, in making tho most of what could lie done with the money at command ; but there is a very great deal to lie done before the domain can he considered laid out, more planting, more pathways to intersect the bushy covers, and the introduction of flower beds, with the formation of several grass lawns, and gravel for the paths yet call for attention, and doubtless will be added, at a time when moncw can be better spared than at. present. It is to be hoped also, that the transfer of the Government House to the domain, is not intended in any way to restrict the space devoted to the recreation of the public. What may appear ample space for the present day will appear all too small for the wants of a city progressing as Auckland is, in a few years' time ; and with the vital necessity in view of air and recreation for a crowded city, it is to be hoped that only the necessary private gardens will be devoted io the exclusive adornment of a Government House, and that any extra grounds proposed to be appropriated for that purpose, will he, under certain restrictions, available to the public.