DOMAIN BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5999, 8 February 1881, Page 3

DOMAIN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday,—Mr. G. M. Mitford in the chair. Present: The Mayor of Parnell, Messrs. Jenkins, Macffarlane, and Evans. The Board and the Government.— The Chairman said that he had had an interview with the Attorney-General (the Minister of the Government in Auckland) on the subject of a subsidy, for the purpose of improving the Domain. The Attorney-. General, however, could not give him any satisfactory answer until the Premier came to Auckland. The Premier had since come and gone. He again waited on the At-torney-General, but was informed that nothing could be done at present. He (the Chairman) also brought under the notice of the Government the service which could be rendered to the Board and the public by permitting prison labour to be employed in road-making and other work in the Domain. The Attorney-General, however, said ho would see to that matter. Retirement of Chairman.—The Chairman said that he would before next meeting be absent from the colony for some time. It would therefore be necessary to have a Chairman in his place. He did mean to relinquish his seat at the Board, but only to retire from the chair.—Mr. Macffarlane: I thought the Government were going to do something.—The Secretary (Mr. Joseph Brown) said that Mr, Fenton had received some request from the Government to furnish the names of suitable persons for a new Board. He believed no action, however, had been taken in the matter; at all events there was no further information on the subject.—The Secretary : Mr. Fenton said he would not object to resume the chairmanship for the time Mr. Mitford was absent if necessary.—lt was resolved to postpone the election of Chairman until next meeting. Mind the Bull.—Mr. Jenkins said the licensee had a bull depasturing in the Domain, which looked very fierce, and frightened a good many people. .. There were a great many women and children who used the open ground for recreation, but would be wholly prevented if they were in fear.—The Chairman said the limitation of the lease drew ' the line at " quiet animals." This animal might be very quiet. The fact was there was no dependence on a bull, when amongst a lot of cows grazing. He knew a man who was trampled to death by a "quiet" animal of this description.—lt was resolved that the licensee should remove his bull from the Domain. Thinning Trees.—The Chairman said it would be necessary to appoint some one to superintend the work. The ranger' would touch no tree unless lie were ordered. The fact was that the pines were smothering everything up. He would be leaving Auckland in about three weeks time. He could not say exactly how long he would be absent. It was resolved that the present Chairman should act as long as he remained in Auckland. Another member might be appointed to act at the next monthly meeting. Accounts.—The ordinary accounts were passed and payment authorized. The Secretary said the Board had exceeded its income by £59, using up the amount in the Savings Bank, and the balance from last year. He also laid on the table the annual accounts. Mr. Evans was appointed to audit the accounts. Cricket Ground.—lt was agreed to postpone the question of fees to the Cricket Ground. This concluded the business.