Patea & Waverley Press MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1927 DOMAIN AFFAIRS.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 5 September 1927, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1927 DOMAIN AFFAIRS.

THE members of the Patea Domain BoarcJ. have every reason to be disappointed with the response made to their recent appeal for support in connection, with a shop day that it was intended to hold for the purpose of raising funds to enable the memorial gates and the large shed to be painted It was pointed out in a circular that was sent out by the board that the revenue derived from the rent of the grazing paddocks under the board’s control and from contributions from various sports bodies is not sufficient to enable the board to maintain the Domain grounds in a proper manner, and that the board must therefore look for assistance from ■the public, for whose benefit the Domain exists, if the shed, gates, and other, assets are to be kept from falling into a state of disrepair- The memorial gates were erected, not in memory of the Pa--1 ea boys alone who fell in the late ■war, but to perpetuate the memory of those gallant lads from all parts of the district who made the supreme sacrifice. The responsibility is therefore on the shoulders of all in the district in common with the members of the Domain Board, on whose ground the gates stand, to see that they are not allowed to fall into decay. The large shed is in very .much the same position. It may be urged that the funds for the erection of the shed were largely subscribed liy the country settlers. This is true, but this does not alter the fact that the shed was in no sense erected for the of the Domain Board, who, with their already limited revenue, have been handed over a liability instead; of an asset. Last year the board was able to carry on, thanks to a grant from the Borough Council. This year, with .commendable consideration for the ratepayers of the town, the board vetoed the proposal to approach the council for another grant, and decided to endeavour to raise the needed funds by itself. Not only do the memorial gates and shed require painting, but the hardwood rail around the playing area is badly in need of attention, otherwise it will have to be replaced before many years are over. We would emphasise the fact that the Domain exists for the benefit of settlers in all parts of the district, and for the sake of encouraging sport : /of every kind. The members of the board, it is needless to say, give ■ their services freely and ungrudgingly, and without any benefit to themselves directly or indirectly. As a matter of fact, in the case of one member in particular, who is called upon to assist in a business capacity! again -and again, everything has by direction of the Audit Department to be done free of cost. Town and country settlers who benefit by having such a fine recreation ground in their midst should see to it that the men who are giving their services on behalf of the community

are loyally supported in their efforts, and not left in the expectation that they Avill be able to “make bricks without straw.” We hope to see the public rally round the board and provide in the near future the wherewithal to enable the board to maintain the memorial gates and the shed in a fitting manner.