WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20720, 6 May 1937, Page 3

WAIMATE

DOMAIN BOARD ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Knottingly Park Domain Board was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs G. Dash (chairman), W. G. Paul, S. I. Fitch, G. R. Watters, P. Berry, J. Atwill, J. T. Hay and T. Twomey. The annual report stated that the board had been engaged during the year in the maintenance of grounds, gardens, fences and buildings. An area of approximately four acres of road line acquired by the Board some years ago had been cleared of gorse and broom, fenced, and 3000 pinus insignis and macrocarpa planted. The former native section had been replanted with suitable subjects. Many of the spruce trees which had outlived their usefulness and were in a dying condition had been cut down and the area occupied by them was being prepared for replanting. A good gravel motor drive had been formed together with paths leading to points of vantage, where excellent views of the park could be obtained. The gardens and lawns had been remodelled with a view to reducing their general maintenance to a minimum. The balance-sheet showed that assets amounted to £496,T0/-, and liabilities to £4/2/6. The report and balance-sheet was approved. Mr Berry stated that attention should be given to painting and papering the caretaker’s house. The secretary was instructed to attend to the matter. A TOWN HALL COST NOT JUSTIFIED “As soon as the ratepayers are prepared to have from £3OO to £4OO a year added to their rates we will go ahead and build a town hall,” said the Mayor (Mr G. Dash) at the meeting of the Waimate Borough Council, when a suggestion that a town hall would make a suitable Coronation memorial was put forward by Cr. W? G. Paul. The building of a town hall, continued Mr Dash, had previously received detailed consideration and they had even gone so far as to prepare rough plans. Such a building would have to be a credit to the place, both architecturally and in the facilities offered. The estimated cost was £7OOO, which at seven per cent, to cover interest and sinking fund would mean £490 a year added to the rates. Further, the building would be earning no revenue. With a suitable theatre at present in the town it could not be used as a picture theatre and various societies would be seeking the use ojl the hall free.

In reply to a question, the town clerk (Mr B. S. Runciman) said that the extra rating necessary would add about 2/6 to the rates of small properties and from £5 to £6 on larger properties.

Procter's, the Opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next processional visit to Waimate on Wednesday and Thursday, 23rd and 24th June, when they may be consulted on all detects of eyesight at the Royal Hotel Appointments can now be made by ringing the Royal Hotel, 'phone 15. ..