SPORTS AREAS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4176, 23 August 1939, Page 7

SPORTS AREAS

HAMILTON RESERVES AND DOMAINS. OBJECTION TO APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS. In a communication read at Monday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council, the secretary of the Hamilton Domain Board forwarded formal notice under section 63 of the Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928, together with a copy of a letter addressed by the Board to the Under-Secretary of Lands in respect of proposed improvements to parks and domains and sports areas in the borough of Hamilton. The letter stated that the estimated capital expenditure was £12,750, and the estimated annual expenditure for maintenance of the works created by the said capital expenditure was nil. annual expenditure of the Board was £lBOO, the estimated revenue of the Board being a similar sum. The Board could find £750 towards the proposed capital expenditure, and proposed that the capital sum required after deducting any Government subsidy should be borne by the following local authorities in the under-mentioned proportions: The Hamilton Borough Council, two-thirds and the Waikato and |Waipa County Councils each one-sixth.

If objection to the proposed apportionment was not made to the Minister of Lands within two months of service of the notice, the letter concluded, the Minister was authorised by law to make an order of apportionment in accordance with the terms thereof. Cr Onion: That means that we will be compelled to pay without representation ?

The chairman: That is not so, but the Board is adopting an attitude of no compromise, and if we do not agree we must be prepared to fight. Cr Johnson pointed out that only a small portion of 'Waipa County was concerned, and it seemed to him that that county was being called upon to provide one-sixth of the capital sum. The chairman said he was not opposed to some contribution being made, but the Board was adamant on the subject of representation. Cr Garland commented that it was grossly unfair that settlers in Orakau, Pukekura, and Kakepuku ridings should have to contribute to sports facilities at Hamilton.

The chairman: Oh, but the Board chairman told us that two players from Leamington regularly used those grounds! Cr Livingstone: Yes, and I am told that one of the two referred to is employed in the Board chairman’s office !

Cr Peacocke moved that a formal objection be forwarded to the Minister.

Cr Onion seconded.—Carried unanimously.