THE NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION SHOW GROUND AND RESERVE C.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 705, 20 June 1878, Page 2

THE NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION SHOW GROUND AND RESERVE C.

K> THE EMIOE OF THE EVENING MAIL.; Sik,~-J. have read and -re-read your 'report of the deputation which waited on the Municipal Council, and in which- the 'Mayor states that he add the Hon. ML" Holmes had come to the understanding that the Hon. M. Holmes would hand: over to the Municipal Council the Society 'grounds,' the present value of which is at least L4OOO-. and for what?—for the' privilege of holding shows or letting for sports Reserve C, adjoining the domain of the Hon. M. Holmes ; also, that the saii;o siionld be planted and beautified at. the.expense of the Society. . Fortunately sue;: philanthropic individuals as the Mayor and the Hon. M. Holmes haw uo on iv or to 'di;ai .with the' Society's property as proposed, although they are at perfect liberty t<> come to an understanding. No doubt it would suit the Hon. M. Holmes ■to have Reserve C planted and beautified. At present it is occupied as a cabbage garden- and nursery for. young porkers ; that of itself is siiiiicientiva-.onwhy.it should be planted slid beautified. If I am not mistaken the lion, gentleman has a portion of this reserve fenced in and" planted and beautified, for >••■!• ich ho pays the Municipal Ooiinoil nil per annum. I would therefore suggest that as lie i* President of the Society, he should exert- himself on behalf of the N.A. and P. Association, and if possible, come to an understanding with the Maj T or, that the Society be allowed to occupy the remainder of the reserve - on tha siuac terms. I. have also read the renort in the North Otago Times, in which Mr. Ronayno puts the question, "Has the Council no-power to lease the reserve to the Society i" .to which the Mayor replied, " Only on the same terms as the present occupier, which would not admit of any fee being charged to the public for admission.". Tin's, question is to the point, and I would ask those acquainted •wills the working'of similar societies at Ko.ai«, do yuu know of any societies having gro..| us of their own 1 Meantime I can reinOiber none ; tlie Highland /Society's shows are generally held on public reserves, and who ever heard of anyi-rte demanding admission free • Nor .would the public tie lik.-ly to do.so here ;->„.■; v more tl-aii they would at presuit think of trampling down John M'Ka'y's ■ ciibba'g-.-s, knocking over his pigsties, and .probably lotting iris porkers pay , his nearest neighbor a visit. As the members of the Council, one and all, do not look to tlie -pecuniary side of the. question, would it not be. alike beneficial to the Society and Council if a lease could be got for 99 years,Or the longest possible term,, at a". : nominal rental, the Society to plant and beau tify the grounds, but certainly not to throw away their present property, oven if such ;i course bo .suggested by the, .President.-r r -I,an.j ) : -«&c. , j'.'..';'. - ; A Mbmbek'oi? P.A., 'V