WAITAKARURU DOMAIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5188, 7 October 1927, Page 1

WAITAKARURU DOMAIN.

MEETING OF BOARD. PREPARATIONS FOR SPORTS. The- Waitakaruru Domain Board met on Tuesday evening last, Mr C. W. Harris presiding over Messrs H. T, Berney, A. H. McClean, S. Caie, and A. Otter (honorary secretary). PITCH FOR CRICKETERS A deputation from the Waitakaruru Cricket Club, comprising Messrs N Hedges, C. Stretton, N. Death, waited on the Board with reference to laying down a concrete pitch on the domain. The club realised that the domain was the proper place for the pitch, and it was prepared to do the work if the Board Would provide the cement.

The chairman (Mr C. W. Harris) explained that the domain had been leased until February, but the; Board still, retained control. It desired to assist clubs as much as possible.

Mr Burling, the lessee, explained that he had’ got very little value from the lease, and at present, had the area shut up for hay. If the club thought it could play cricket in hay it could go ahead.

The chairman pointed out that the domain had been let solely for grazing purposes. There was nothing in the agreement concerning hay. Mr Stretton, on behalf of the cricketers stated that if the pitch was laid down soon the club could arrange to have the matches of the first round played away. The. hay would be cut before the second round. Mr C. W- Parfitt moved that the offer of the Cricket Club be accepted. Mr H. L. Berney seconded, and the motion was carried.

Tb the deputation the chairman stated that the board would inspect the land and allot a site; for the pitch. Mr Otter raised thei point of th® club contributing towards the board’s funds. If the Lease was to be terminated the board would be without revenue.

Mr Hedges; pointed out that there was no necessity to terminate the lease.

Mr McClean argued that the club should pay something for the privilege of having its pitch on the ground. This was discussed at length, and it was eventually decided that the charge for this season be £2 10s.

Mr Hedges stated that the matter would be laid before members, as soon as possible.

Concerning the; lease Mr Burling stated that the cricketers would be acting very fairly in allowing him to cut his hay. BALANCE SHEET. The annual balance-sheet details as required by the Department of Lands were; submitted and approved. Receipts totalling £4B 18s, being donations £l7, sale of grass seed £3 16d Bd’, and proceeds of Boxing Day sports meeting £2B Is sd, were, shown. The expenditure was set out as. follows : Timber for bridge £4 17s, labour £7, insurance on pavilion 17s lid, trees purchased 15s 9d, bank interest £lO 14fe, and sundry accounts in connection yith the sports, making the. total £29 6s sd. The bank overdraft had been reduced from £l5B Os lid at the beginning of the year to £l3B 9s 3d at the end of March. The report gave details of the work done during the year and showed thq proposed operations' for the ensuing year, which were the laying down of a cricket pitch, the levelling of fields for football, and general maintenance at a total estimated cost of £42. GOVERNMENT GRANT. The. chairman reported that since the Minister of Lands had been approached for a grant to liquidate the overdraft, advice had been received that a grant of £5O had been placed on the estimates. ANNUAL SPORTS. It was decided that the usual picnic and sports meeting be held, on Boxing Day in Mr A- lOtter’s paddock, and that a public meeting to discuss thq matter be held in the school on November 1.