DOMAIN BOARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 15, 16 October 1942, Page 5

DOMAIN BOARD

RE-ELECTION FALLS DUE

SEVEN YEA 11 TERM EXPIRES

On Monday next the Whakatane Domain Board's term of seven years in office Avill expire and as a result an election will be necessary to reappoint the new personnel as several members have indicated their intention of resigning it will be necessary to find new members and these should be chosen lo represent if possible the sporting bodies which make the greatest use of the grounds. A brief history of the Board will be of interest. It was gazetted on August 18, 1927 and, held its first meeting on the 30 of that month with Messrs G. A. Brabant, G. S. Bullen, W. G. Howat, C. AY. Loane, A. F. Moncur, J. A. Ruddy and J. C. AYadmore. Mr Brabant elected chairman and has held. that, position ever since. Mr A. F. Moncur elected secretary and, held position until he became Mi.P. when his removal to Rotorua necessitated election of. another to fill the vacancy. C. S. Armstrong appointed—still secretai^. Of the original Board only two are still members —Mr Brabant and Mr Loane. Whakatane Domain Board members also constitute the Eli vers Beach Domain Board—control the Domain at the bottom of McGarvey"s Road—no funds for any improvement here. First, grant to the Board's funds was from Whakatane Borough Council £25, this has grown to the present. sum of £100 per year. Present school site was part of the Domain, but was exchanged for an area where the old schoolmaster's residence is in Short Street. Domain area approximately 40 acres,

includes an 8-acre paddock behind residences facing Domain Road, with an entrance there by Mr Lysaghl'si residence. Hoped later on to erect suitable gates to this area, which -will in time become the main football ground. All sporting bodies may avail themselves of the use of the grounds, and in many cases cricket, hockey, basketball, no charge has been made for the use thereof - Last year the present playing area was fenced, with good sheep prool fence, and constant "holding" of sheep in this area lias resulted in greatly improved playing conditions. An access to the Domain has been obtained through a section in Russell Street facing Lovelock Street and will be opened up in the nea»future. Erection of bandstand was done before the Board was constituted. The Borough Council had control of* the Domain prior to the Board taking over. Camping facilities provided out of revenue, showers-,. eleeLric stoves and other coonvcnienecs, lack ol funds precludes any great advance in this direction. For many years athletic sports were held, in the Domain at Easier, and this attraction usually drew big fields in all events, and was a very': popular day's outing for residents, of town and country alike. The Hoard relies for revenue solelv on subscription from the Council, rental for area leased to A. and V. Association, and rentals, from sports bodies —aide to employ man only days a week. No remuneration to any member of board, services always given freely in tlie' public interest. Queen Carnival promoted 3 years ago, abandoned, resulted in over £200 being raised for improving accommodation for sports bodies at the Domain. Money held in trust till more appropriate time for its use.