LEVIN DOMAIN.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 April 1915, Page 2

LEVIN DOMAIN.

(To the Editor. , ) feir,-In your issue oi'TSe 12th inst. you publish a letter hj Mr J. Kebbell, o! Ohan, commenting on my statement at the Borough Council meeting on the 'ih inst. that the Government intended to sanction the sale of the 40 acre r-. serve near the lake lor the purposes < 1 buying a showground for the A. and i' Association, and vesting the same in the name of the Association. At tlie outset I wish to state that I am "i no way antagonistic to the Association ,of which 1 am a financial member, and to which I have contributed fairly liberally in the way of trophies, and in various ways done my share to"aids helping the show along; and Mr Kebbell must understand that my attitude in the matter is purely a publicone and in the best interests of the -listnct. Mr Kebbell cannot deny that the Levin Domain Board was approached and asked its opinion on selling the i-W'iTo in order to buy a ground for the A. and P. Association. Mr Keb--I'oll's letter defeats itself when he states that ground was given for a racecourse and showground for an - •\. and P. Society and sports and gen. oral recreation ground for the district J' ram where does Mr Kebbell got his information, and how many A. and P. Societies were there when 'this reserve was dedicated? The very fact that a domain board was created clearly shows that it was the intention of the Government to preserve this ground as a public reserve, and i«w ■Mr Kehbell advocates the sale to benent a purely private association. The residents of the Borough of Levin are "too residents of the district, and in proportion of population are equal shareholders, and take strong exception to any hole and coiner work in dealing with their.share of any .public ro serve, such a.s a. quiet deputation to the Premier advocating the sale of the above public property to buyi a ground for the use of a private association. The results of this deputation were kept private, but where ie the need for secrecy if the object was lor the benefit of the district? This valuable reserve of 41 acres has about Hi roe acres of plantation and a considerable area ~7 native bush and the "balance (over fourfifths of tlio whole) is let at an annual rental of 35s per acre, which sum carefully laid out in - m . provemont by a wise Domain Board would in a very few years result in a valuable and beautiful reserve unequalled on this coast and together with the lake bo a- source of attraction to the district. Mr fvebbell's mention of Ahab\s greed for Xahotli's vineyard is very apt, and I am greatly surprised at his misquoting the Scriptures and forcing the- limelight on his own action i\hile his veiled reference to and his attempt to .stir feeling between the township and district aro uVworthy of comment.—l am, etc., A. DEMPSEY.