TE KUITI DOMAIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 517, 13 November 1912, Page 5

TE KUITI DOMAIN.

ITS RETENTION ADVOCATED. REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. In view of the fact that Te Kuiti does not possess an adequate recreation ground, and that the want is likely to be keenly felt in futura, while the present disadvantages are already apparent, a committeti consisting of members of the Borough Council and members of the. Sports Protaction League was appointed some time ago to formulate a scheme to acquire a suitable ground. After coniidernig the matter the commitee recommended that authority should be asked to dispose of the present small ground, and the proceeds devoted to acquiring a ground which would be suitable for the public generally, both as to area and situation. On such recommendation being received the Council passed a resolution in favour uf disposing of the Domain and acquiring 20 aces in a suitable position. At Monday night's meeting of the Borough Council the following resolution was moved by Cr Walsh:—"That the resolution dated August 27th, 1912, upon page 65 of the Council's Minute Book, authorising application to be made to the Minister in Charge of Domains for authority to dispose of the present Domain by cutting it up into building allotments and with the proceeds from the sale of such allotments to obtain under' The Public Works Act 1908," a more suitable for the purpose of a recreation ground and public domain, be. and is hereby, rescinded." Speaking in support of the motion Cr Walsh said he did not think it would be wise to dispose of that piece of ground. The school ground was inadequate, and parting with the Domain would be a great injustice to the children. Cr Walsh also quoted an extract in favour of air spaces for children. Cr Somerville, in seconding the motion, said he did so ior a different reason to that set forth by the mover. It had been decided to take steps to acquire a new recreation ground under the Public Works Act, which was not practicable. Cr Tammadge said ha disagreed with the arguments produced by the mover. The Domain had been set apart a3 a public recreation ground. It was inadequate and the disposal of the ground for the purpose of acquiring a better domain was common sense. If the Education Department required the ground it was open to the department to purchase it. In any case it could not be given to the department, and the argument of Cr Walsh evidently meant that the Domain should be kept as a playground for the children. He favoured the acquisition of a suitable recreation ground in the interests of the whole community, and tha proposition to convert an unsuitable ground into a sufficiently large and suitahle one was reasonable. No further discussion ensued and the motion on being put was carried.