CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 76, 6 May 1914, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING. The first ordinary meeting of the Christchurch Domain Board, as reconstructed, was held yesterday afternoon. There were present Dr Levinge, and Messrs H. Holland, H. J. Beswick, and J. Jamieson.

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs George Harper and W. H. Cooper. On the motion of the Mayor, Mr H. Holland, Mr Beswick was elected chairman.

Mr Beswick said that he would take the position for one year further, and no longer.

Mr Beswick continued that this was the first meeting of the board as constituted under the Act of last session. It was the first time that the board had had anything in the way of rating power. At the first, under the Provincial Council, the gardens had been kept out of the public purse. After the end of the provinces the gardens had been put under the Domain Board, with an endowment of £3OOO. This had been gradually dissipated under the authority of Parliament upon works of a permanent character. For the future the board would be larger than it had been in the past, the Government now appointing three members. Two of these were present, and the third, Mr H. G. Ell, M!P., was well known to them all; and other local bodies could elect members. It had been decided to levy a rate to bring in £1250, which was half the maximum amount. Before the board had received £450 from the city and £SO from the Waimairi County Council. Now It wouM get £7OO more. Half as much again would be necessary to do the gardens justice. He felt diffident in taking the position of chairman from such a small meeting. If the appointment were not acceptable to all the matter might be reopened at a larger meeting. The demands on the parks by those who would play games were getting more serious each year. It was thought a new ground should be provided on the old exhibition site in the South Park. A plan and estimate had been prepared which showed that it would be necessary to drain before it would be fit for cricket. Mr A. W. Paterson, who had made the plan, estimated the cost at £lB5, allowing 10 per cent, for contingencies. This was less than Mr Young, the curator, had suggested. He believed it would be reasonable for the board to do something for those who wished to play games. In answer to Mr Jamieson, the chairman, said that he believed Mr Paterson would superintend the work. It was decided to reply to a letter that the labels upon the plants were being re-lettered, and each would now be varnished to save it from the weather.

A letter was received from the Superintendent of Police stating that the board's complaint as to the congregation of undesirable characters in portions of the board's demesne was receiving attention. A reply was received from Professor Scott,' of the School of Engineering, Canterbury College, that the survey of the park and gardens would be carried out, probably during the present session.

It was decided to reply to the Canterbury Rugby Union that clubs wishing to cut grass would have to apply for permission in each case, as hertofore.

Mr Holland said they must be careful to avoid giving the idea that the.grazing of sheep was of more importance than the giving of place to those who wished to play games.

Messrs Jamieson and Holland were appointed a committee to enquire into the use of shingle from the park.

A letter was received from the secretary of the Christchurch Beautifying Society, asking for permission to plant native trees on the Carlton Bridge Keserve.

Dr Levinge stated that other attempts to establish native trees had proved' unsuccessful, and the present site was unsuitable.

Other objections were raised that such a reserve would be a rendezvous for undesirable characters.

It was decided to reply to that effect. The United Tennis, Bowling, and Croquet Club wrote with regard to the two extra acres it had been granted, asking that it should be charged only the same as if the land were being used for grazing purposes, until it was actually improved and made into courts. It was decided to-reply that the request could not be considered. It was decided that the matter of drainage of the exhibition site Should be considered by those present, as a committee.

Mr Jamieson added that if there were many unemployed he believed the Floral Fete Committee would continue the work of improvement of the river banks.