THE DOMAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7161, 29 October 1884, Page 3

THE DOMAIN.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, — Whoever visits our Domain cannot help being struck with the idea of what a place of beauty is might be made, not only to the comfort and pleasure of the citizens, but also of attraction to visitors. At present, however, it is inaccessible to invalids, and, I. may say, ladies and children, unless accompanied by a male friend. Is there any real reason why it should remain eo? lam told the only cause is want of i'umls ; that it would take some thausaud3 of pounds to make drive 3 _ and clearances, supply fountains, waterfalls, &c., and, as the feeling of a seation of. the community i 3 very strong in endeavouring to prevent even the temporary alienation of any portion of this large estate, we are, therefore, compelled to be content to possess .1 terra incognita of little use to us our wives,and families,that posterity may ensure its possession untouched! I feel on this subject very much incline 1 to say with tho Irishman, " What ha 3 posterity done for me that I should do so much f>,r posterity 2" but, as a matter of fact, the wish of many might bo compassed without; depriving posterity of the rights to resume poesessfon of any small portion on the outskirts leased to raise a revenue. £10,000 might be so raised, andtheDomainmadea place of beauty. There is nearly 200 acres altogether ; supposing four or five acres abutting on the Park .ft'orih-road, neither used or required by the public, where leased for 33 or 50 years, in allotments of say about 103 feet frontage by 150 feet deep, with stringent conditions that only one residence should be placed thereon, plans to be approved prior to erection. Here at once would be tangible means of raising a revenue without burthening the in'.cpayers; and should it so happen that those coming after ns resented its disposal, what so easy as to resume possession at the expiration of the lease. Plainly it means that we must keep the place in a wilderness because of a feeling of sentiment, for it is little else. 3&ere is no real alienation unless the property be sold and the freehold parted with. I trust othera who think with me that this beantifal spot shotrld t;e made accessible and pleasurable iD our time, as well as in the time of those who are to follow us, will ventilate their opinion in your columns, for "In the multitude of counsel there is wisdom."—l am, &c., Progress,