DOMAINS BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1790, 8 November 1919, Page 4

DOMAINS BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING. iESSONS FBOM THE OLD WOBLD. A meeting of the Christchurch Domains Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present Mr H. J. Beswiek (in the chair), Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P. (Mayor of Christchurch), Messrs G. Harper, ,W. Nioholls, W. H. "Winsor, E. F. Stead, A. W. Owles, McGregor B. Wright, J. Jamiestm, S. Orchard, C. W. Hervey and Dr C. Chilton. The board extended a welcome to Mr J. Jamieson, who has been absent from New Zealand since February. In thanking members for their welcome, Mr Jamieson said that he had visited, among other places, Belfast, Dublin, Kew, Torquay, Cheltenham and Glasgow (Springbank). At Dublin he spent a most interesting: two hours with Sir Frederick Moore, the curator. These grounds are beautifully situated, about 50 acres of # undulating park lands and gardens. Sir Frederick said that he felt sure that the Board of Works would be delighted to forward plans, if necessary, and he would be very pleased to forward any botanical specimens in return for those sent by Mr Young. Springbank was, in Mr Jamieson's opinion, the best-suited "winter garden for the requirements of Christchurch, and a design that could be added to, giving an opportunity to anyone so disposed to add an annexe to it, whereby he could perpetuate his memory and the interest he had taken in horticulture. The Glasgow Municipality controlled all the parks and gardens, which were an education to all lovers of the beautiful. The humanising influence was far-reaching. By the time the iron and glass manufactures got back to normal, the Cunningham Bequest would have reached the sum of £IO,OOO, which would be about the cost of the work. The working plans of the Winter Garden would be provided by the Glasgow Municipality free of cost, and would be to hand at any time. A letter of thanks was received from the secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association, thanking the board for granting the Boys' Cricket League the use of South Hagley Park free for another year. Mr Thomas Ballan wrote offering one pair of whale ribs, 12ft long, as a gift to the gardens.—The (lonor is to be thanked for his gift. The chairman mentioned that the board's bank overdraft was now £1487 17/11. Against that there were several outstanding accounts which it was intended to make an effort to collect.

The report of the Gardens and Sports Committee stated: (1) That, after consideration of a letter from the secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, Christchurch, it was resolved to reply that the board would not allow the triangular section of land at the corner of Lincoln and Ricearton Roads to be used as a standing place for vehicles waiting opposite the hospital; (2) That, after consideration of a Tetter from Mr C. E. Ferris, headmaster, Dun*lm Preparatory School, Christchurch, it was resolved to confirm the principle that no more areas in the parks be enclosed for sports, and to inform Mr Ferris that the board was willing to grant him two acres or thereabouts in North Hagley Park, at an annual rental of £4 per acre. Mr Ferris accepted the suggestion. The report was adopted. Mr Stead briefly referred to the diminution in the waters of the Avon and mentioned that it was proposed to call a meeting of local bodies shortly, with a view to the application of remedial measures. Mr Nicholls referred to the dilapidated state of the fence from Jhe Carlton Bridge to the Ricearton Hotel.—lt was decided to ask the curator to look into the matter. _ The chairman suggested that it was time that the present holly fence from the Museum to the Hospital was replaced by a more suitable fence.—lt was decided that the holly fence be taken down as soon as the money is available for the erection of a suitable fence. I)r Thacker said he would give the cost—approximately £2~> —of the first chain, and it was decided on his motion that the fence be of roughcast rubble. A small committee was set up to deal with the matter of design.