CLIFTON DOMAIN TRANSFER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 210, 21 September 1937, Page 6

CLIFTON DOMAIN TRANSFER

Local Bodies To Be Asked Tp Pay Cost BUSINESSMEN'S VIEWS Acting on the prineiple that ^ the establishment of a domain at Clifton was a matter of public interest to all of Hawke's Bay, especially #to Napier, Hastings and the Hawke's Bay County, the Hastings Chamber of Commerce deeided last evening to recommend to the Commissioner of Crown Lands tliat he negotiate with the local bodies gdverning those three localities with a view to their meeting the cost of the registration of the transfer to the Crown of the area to be set aside as a domain. The chamber was advised by the Department of Lands and Survey that before the area could definitely be established and a Glifton Domain Board set up to control , the area, it was necessary for the cost of the registration of the transfer to be- paid. This amounted to just on £21. The secretary. Mr V. A. Thomson, - reported that Mr L. Pickering, of Napier, had approached him regarding this matter, and suggested that the chamber might maka representations to the Hastings Borough Council to have a portion of the cost paid by that body. "Seeing that this is a matter affecting the people of Hawke's Bay as a whole, I feel that it is up to the local bodies to find this money," said Mr F. E. Smith. "If they do so then it means that all the people are contributing. The three local bodies could arrange among themselves just how much each should contribute; it could be on a pro rata basis or on a population basis." Mr Smith was also of the opinion that it was for the Commissioner of Crown Lands to approach the local bodies and not the chamber, for fie considered that until the Domain Board was actually set up the chamber had no Teal standing in thq matter. The chairman, Mr W. A. Whitloek: Except, of course, that we feel it is a matter of public interest. "It would b'e a great pity to see tliis matter held up, especially as the visiting season is approaehing," he added. Mr Smith expressed regret that the matter had been delayed because the planting season was now . almost over and. unless there was a- wet, season ahead it would not be possible to carry out the protective planting that was hoped would be done this year. "This is a matter that is definitely of public interest, and l think that this chamber should mahe some move," said Mr S. Ashcroft. After a further brief discussion it was deeided to suggest to the Commissioner that he make representations to the local bodies concerned for grants towards meeting the cost involved on the prineiple that all the people should pay, as it was in the interests of all the people.