WINCHESTER DOMAIN BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12906, 20 February 1906, Page 6

WINCHESTER DOMAIN BOARD.

A : special meeting of the Winchester; Domain,ißoard was held in''the-Mechanics': Institute on Friday lastJohn Opie,.J. Paterspn, and; B. Smith. The chairman of J the '"Board, Major J. A. Young, was absent .through indisposition, but handed in the. following statement which will be interesting to' the public and especially to old identities: "Before my resignation as chairman of the. Board is accepted, I think..that it will be quit?, in order.that I should place." oh record some remarks- on the early history of the Domain, Mr Wakefield was instrumental in getting the-"land reserved as f acres for recreation ground and about 12 acres for. cricket and other ggports domain, for which two separate Boards were appointed; for-'the Domain, Messrs J. Paterson, G. Cliff, W, Deßenzy, A. L.'JBarket, and J. A. Young; for the sports'domain, Messrs J. Paterson, G. Cliff,. W- Deßenzy, W. Murray and R. A. -Uai'kei*. Jb.e first meting of the Domain Board was held in the schoolroom,. December24th," 1879, when Mr J. A. Young waselected. chairman, The land was then Tin-fenced except on the railway side. The Government could not give, any money grant, .so the Board put their shoulders to the .wheel; some members generously ploughed the land and gave money besides, all "members assisting in getting the land fenced in and laid out, and purchased some trees, the Government giving. : 650. I was chairman of both Boards up* 1 to the present except for one year when I was absent. from the district. For 25 .years. on tfie Domain and 20 years on the cricket reserve'l attended all meetings, voluntarily doing all secretarial work. In 1904 the two Boards were amalgamated and a paid secretary appointed. During my time as chairman we lost three members through death, viz. Messrs R. A. Barker, G. Cliff, ■and D. E. Inwood, but with the assistance of the old members ! of the Board I did any best to cultivate and protect -all trees and shrubs for the pleasure of the public. Three oak trees were planted to celebrate the late Queen's jubilee, another the record reign, and one on the accession of King Edward VH. I now take the opportunity to thank the old members for the honour of electing me chairman for so many years, for their loyal-support on all' occasions in assisting me to carry out my duties as chairman. I regret that the state of my health will not permit me to preside over your meetings. I am more than paid for what I have done; it has been a labour of love to me to see now a beautiful park in perfect order for the recreation of the public. I now tender my resignation as chairman to the Board."

Major J. A. Young's resignation vas accepted with very much regret, all present speaking feelingly of the good work lie had done for so many years, and a ■hearty vote of thanks was passed to him for the good work done by him during his long term of office as chairman.

Mr W. Deßenzy was elected chairman, amd Mr J. P. Kalaugher secretary to the Board.