ACTIONS DEPRECATED

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20495, 11 May 1938, Page 9

ACTIONS DEPRECATED

CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL ATTITUDE TO DOMAIN BOARD MEMBER’S OUTSPOKEN COMMENT " It Is appalling that there are people In this town offering themselves as candidates for the Hamilton Borough Council and stating as one of their objects the amalgamation of the Domain Board and Beautifying Society with the Borough Council,' 1 remarked Mr F. A. Swarbrick at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board last evening. Mr Swarbrick further deprecated the action of ‘ irresponsible people” who were voicing the opinion that the Domain Board was spending too much money on beautifying when it should be catering for the sports bodies. The extent to which this view was contradictory to fact could be judged when it was known that in reality the Domain Board was in no way connected with beautifying activities. “Some of the sports bodies in Hamilton do not even help to support the grounds they use,” added Mr Swarbrick. **l don't care whether I remain a member of this board, but I think it is about time that some of the criticism levelled at it was answered” He said the board could not carry you as it had done without the assistance of the sporting organisations, but it was about time that these bodies rallied round the board instead of complaining about the treatment they had received from it. “It seems to me,” concluded Mr Swarbrick, “ihat the sports bodies which get the least assistance from us, and should therefore be expected to have the most cause for making a complaint, raise the least protest. Those we have given most consideration are still asking for more.” Chairman’s Comment Referring to the same matter in his annual report, the chairman, Mr W. H. Paul, said:— “In connection with the suggestion recently made in certain quarters, that the Domain Board should be controlled by the Borough Council, it Is interesting to recall that the Borough Council had controlled the Domain Lands up until 1913, when it was found that some of the board's lands were in actual use by the council for council purposes, beside which the board was in debt to the council for a considerable sum of moneey, and that the revenue of the board was so small that the prospect of re-payment and effecting improvements was Impossible. “In consequence, and as a result of a Commission, the Hamilton Domains Act of 1911 was passed, by which the council had to pay the board for certain lands taken, and also release the board from moneys owing, and in 1913 a Gazette was issued constituting a separate board. “Since that date, and under separate control, the board has increased its revenue, transformed the Lake Reserve into a place of use and enjoyment for the citizens, acquired St. Andrews golf links, formed links at the Lake Reserve, re-made Seddon Park, and with the help of some of the sports bodies has provided tennis, football and athletic grounds of credit to the town. “The Interest of the sports bodies has always been well represented on the board, and while It is inevitable that at times it is not possible to accede to all requests, the board’s endeavour, at all times, has been to consider the Interests of all sections of the community to whom the domain lands belong, including the large number of citizens who use the Lake Reserve and other domain lands for the enjoyment of the quieter forms of recreation other than sport. ‘‘ln 1908 when the Borough Council were controlling the domain lands and the agitation was on foot for a separate board to be formed, the following words from a pamphlet then Issued are of special interest:— “The fact that the Hamilton domain lands have not been so successfully managed as those of other districts Is mainly due to the fact that the Borough Council has also been the Domain Board. Experience has shown that it is impossible for the members of the council to [ devote the necessary time to the proper administration of the domains In addition to their duties as councillors. The placing of two perfectly distinct, and often conflicting sets "of duties in the hands of one body of men. has led to confusion of Ideas. The true remedy is the appointment of a board quite independent of the council, who can devote the necessary time to this special business.* **