DOMAINS CONTROL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10197, 5 July 1911, Page 4

DOMAINS CONTROL.

+ RECONSTITUTION OF BOARD DISCUSSED. HEATHCOTE AND SPREYDON TO BE AFPEOACHED. The Bill by which it is propossed to reconstitute the Christchuroh Domains Board, giving the City Council five members, the Government three, members, and the. Waimairi County Council one member, was again before the Domains Board yesterday, when the question of bringing in outer areas was ' discussed. Mr T. E. Taylor. M.P.. Mayor of Chri.stclmrch. said that the City Council was prepared to take over the Parkentirely, if it were possible ; but would not take any responsibility ii tho balance of power was To lie, as originally proposed, with the Government representatives. The chairman said that, the original proposal had been altered to give the Council a majority. Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., discussing the constitution of the controlling body if the Council took over the domain, ■said that it would be a, pity to lose the services of such men as Sir Charles Bowen. Mr Murray-Aynsley, Mr George Harper, and others who had seen the gardens growing for tiio .last thirty years. ( Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., said that the Council had affirmed the principle of having no outsiders on its committees. The Mayor remarked that the Council had not done po. In electing its representatives to the Fire Board -there had been no experts suggested, and a councillor ha<l been elected in place of another representative. Mr S. Al Staples said that the door should not be closed to representation of the. Heathcote County Council, say, if it desired to contribute. Mr T. H. Davey, M.P.. said that he had obtained figures showing the population and gross and ratable values of Christchiirch, Spreydon. Heathcote and Waimairi, which might be useful in assessing the representation of <v.ch of tho districts on a population and valuation basis. ( He thought that Heaiiicote and Spreydon might be asked to contribute. Mr G. Harper suggested that Cantorbury College might bo asked to contribute, as it obtained great benefit from the gardens, which were kept up around the Museum, while those attending the College made great use of the gardens. A morn her suggested that the College authorities could not contribute, but might pay a, rental for the Museum site. On. Mr Davey's motion it was resolved to approach the Spreydon. Heathcote and Waimairi Councils, suggesting a contribution and representation on the basis of population and vnluatin-n.