IMPROVING HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15159, 7 February 1923, Page 6

IMPROVING HAMILTON.

ACTIVITIES OF DOMAIN BOARD.

PAST YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED /

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS MADE

ii Reporting to the annual meeting of [‘the Hamilton Domain Board last eventing on work done and progress made for the' year just ended, the retiring ••chairman (Mr R. C. Fowler) stated (I that since last annual meeting several measures which would prove of great ( value in regard to the future policy of j; the Board had been placed on the ' Statute Book. The chief of these was the passing, during the last session of [ Parliament, of the Hamilton Domains Amendment Act, 1922. This Bill was i I drafted by Mr Swarbrick some three ([years ago, but had been shelved owing [[’to the pressure of other business. /.However, thanks to the persistence of /Mr J. A. Young, M.P., the Bill was finally passed towards the end of last session, though not without some Blight alterations to the Bill as originally drafted by Mr Swarbrick. This i measure, as members were aware, enabled the Board, acting in conjunction '(with the Hamilton Borough Council, to ■ remit all rates (except water rates) on “belt” lands; the Borough Council to receive in lieu of all rates (except . water rates) half of any rent received "from such “belt” lands, so that the • Board Would pow be able to issue .leases to sports bodies on much more (([favourable terms. The Board would . also be able to bring domain lands under the provisions of the Band Transfer Act, 1915. The Hamilton Domains Amendment Act, 1922, also empowered the Board to building leases in respect of lots 16 and 21, Hamilton West. As these two lots comprise some of the best building sites in Hamilton, they would prove valuable sources of income to the Board. ; Continuing, the chairman stated that another measure of importance included in the Washing-up Bill of last sessioh, was the power granted to the Boarii to sell the freehold of certain sections, in order to provide funds . ;wherewith to purchase certain lands on the western side of the Lake. Other clauses in the Washing-.#) Bill authorised the Board to exchange certain parcels of land with the Borough Council for certain other portions of land.

Popular Lake Grounds.

Two innovations that had conduced ii to the pleasure of visitors to the Lake ([Domain, continued Mr Fowler, were .‘(the erection of the pretty and well./equipped tea kiosk by Mr Lee, and >;’the provision of a small fleet of wellbuilt and thoroughly safe pleasure boats| placed on the Lake by Mr Davis. Other improvements were the pro-

vision of steps at the end of the jetty for the benefit of bathers and the • placing of wooden floor-gratings in 1 ’ [the ladies’ dressing rooms. >.'(() In view of the increasing numbers : people now flocking to the Domain ("during the summer months, it would -([be necessary to. supply much more . extensive accommodation for bathers of both sexes before next summer. “(Hamilton Lake had now much more "Than a local reputation as an ideal (•[holiday resort, visitors having come •((from Auckland and from the smaller towns within a 50-mile radius. This (.'[being the. case. Mr Fowler remarked, [ It would also be necessary to supply a suitable ladies’ rest-room.

Regulations as to the speed limit "with regard to motor-cars inside the Lake gates and to the parking of cars

had been made, and it was hoped that the general public would help the Board in seeing that the regulations 1 were complied with, as the Board was not in'a position to employ parklepers to regulate the traffic or to see thaftoo wilful damage was committed. ) ;> i ' Improvements to Parks. The Rugby Union by means of public' subscription, together with the subsidy from fhe Board, had erected a convenient little pavilion in Steele •Park, consisting of two dressing-

rooms, each of which has its own

shower-bath. The Rugby Union has also clone good work in the preparation of its new grounds in Mill Street, which it was hoped would be ready for play io July. The Rugby League had cleared up gorse and blackberry and levelled and sown down in grass some three acres .of Hinemoa Park, which would now provide two full-size football grounds. The Rostrevor Street triangle had been levelled and would, •it was hoped, be available as a sports ‘.ground in June or July. The western /.end of the section would be laid down In grass and planted with flowers and .shrubs. The southen end of Seddon •Park had provided two excellent cricket grounds this summer, as the . result of frequent use of the scythe and by persistent rolling towards the -send of last winter. A cricket ground •had also been provided in Steele Park, s.EBd it was hobcd that 'at least two more grounds would be available in this park before next summer. . In conclusion, Mr Fowler said that the results now apparent were mainly due to the work done in the past by Mr A. Swarbrick, who had been chair-

man of the Board for so .-long and who ■had paved the way for the matters which now become accomplished facts. •Mr Fowler thanked members of the Board for their loyal support, the press for their full reports of all meetings, and the workmen attending to . the grounds under the Board’s control, for the good service rendered. Mr J. R. Fow, in moving the adoption of the report, spoke of the great c benefit accruing to the Board as a result of the passing of the legislation referred to. The chairman was to be congratulated on the work of the past year, Mr Fow referring in particular to the improvements made at the Lake. The Lake was a very valuable possession and it behoved the Board lo lake still further steps to increase the attractiveness of these popular grounds. Mr A. Swarbrick also spoke in eulogistic terms of the results of the year’s working. The year just ended had been one ofj the most successful in the history of the Board, thanks in large measure to the energies of Mr Fowler. Mr Swarbrick made reference to the question of bathing accommodation at the Lake. With the greatly increased number of bathers . who were now using more, the Board’s dressing accommodation was inadequate and would require to be extended. The report was unanimously ftdopted. , Election of Chai r man. The chairman then vacated the chair and the secretary (Mr 0. Boyes) then presided for the election of chairman for the ensuing year. in nominating Mr Fowler for a further term, Mr J. McKinnon said I hat when Mr Fowler accepted oiflee al the beginning of the year he was extremely diffident about taking up the work. With the experience that Mr Fowler had now gained as a result of his year’s activities on Ihe town's behalf he was particularly suited lo the position, and

it would be a dislinct loss to 1 the town

if he did not accept. Mr J. R. Fow, in seconding the proposal, joined voice with Mr McKinnon in urging upon Mr Fowler to accept re-election.

Mr Fowler thanked members for the honour conferred upon him in' asking him to again accept office. If the Board were satisfied that he could be of service to them he would be pleased to do his best and again accept office. (Applause.) Balance-Sheet,

The balance-sheet for the year ended showed that a profit of £3O had been made on the year’s woking.

in moving the adoption of the balance sheet, the chairman said that the statement was a very satisfactory one. In 1913, when the Domain Board first became a seperate bodj[,' the annual rentals amounted to only about £2OO, while at the present time the amount received in rental was £1046, of,which only about £l2 was outstanding. This was a matter reflecting great credit upon the secretary, and he would like to congratulate Mr Boyes on the results obtained.