DOMAIN BOARD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 September 1912, Page 3

DOMAIN BOARD.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS'. Balance per Pass Book £454 18 0 Balance last meeting £414 7 3 Expenditure since i £ 48 6 3 £462 13 6 Less receipts 7 15 6 £454 18 0 Accounts paid between meetings amounting to £48 6s 3d were passed, and accounts amounting to £± 10s 9d were passed for payment. Mr McLeod (chairman) stated that over the moneys to come from ths^ Government there would lie £63 to the bad. The Clerk said that the increase in revenue during the present winter had been very materia.l over previous years. The following report was read from the Caretaker, tinder dite Sept. 16, 12. The Chairman, Dear Sir, —I beg to draw the attention of the Board to the great Bmount •£ work and expense that will be necessary before the Lawns, Greens, etc, can be successfully opened for play. lam constantly called to the telephone, or in receipt of telegrams, letters, etc., asking when they will be opened and that they presume the same facilities will prevail as at Rotorua, Te Aroha, etc. That is, that they will be able to loan shoes, racquets, bowls, croquet outfit, etc. In order therefore to be in a position to successfully open the season, the first essential will be water for tho bowling green which, with tanks, mill, piping and taps, wire-bound hose, sprinklers, etc., to cost about £80, rough estimate. The. tennis courts will require netting across the centre and at each end (sides not necessary). 4 double court nets, with posts, sprokets, etc., will be required, also 2 sets (complete in boxes) croquet outfit, also a lawn marker. A pavillion of some description containing lockers for bowls, racquets, etc, will be absolutely necessary, while a goodly supply of mats, shoes, bowls, etc., will bo required, also a set of rules to play, payment of games, etc. It is, of course, too late for the present Board to act (although I hope to see the same members back again), but I do sincerely hope, that the mattfir be handed to the new Board immediately after the election, and that they meet at the Springs at the very earliest opportunity and go fully into the matter, for I feel confident that if a special opening day be arranged, and the pavilion and every lawn be ready similf.aneiously, that it will give the place such an advertisement that the space already allotted will in a short time prove insufficient. In conclusion I would add that unless the above is in working order by the last week in October or November Ist at latest, the whole thing will be a fiasco, foi this year at least. Auckland people mako arrangements for their noli, days in advance, and unless you can open early, they will go elsewhere. But should you be able to let it be known in good time that you have a good green, good tennis courts, and croquet lawns, with tho same facilities and charge for games n.s> elsewhere, there should be no fenr for the future. I trust this wi'l be taken seriously, for I know tho Jfowling rind Tennis"Fraternity of Auckland too well.—Yours faithfully, Wm. H.vuims. P.S. In the event of tho people deciding to hand over to tho Government. I trust a copy of this will be sent immediately. The Chairman moved and Mr Becroft seconded :'" That tho report be received and be loft for consideration by the new Board."— Carried. Tho letter published last week from the Minister of Tourist Resorts through Mr Ooates, re the Government taking over the Hot Springs Domain, was read. The Chairman stated that on Saturday 7th inst., he received a copy of the letter which had also been received by the other members of the Board, and he had posted notices in several places, but the notices had been Dulled down. I:I> also got it published in the • Star" of Monday, h'opt. 9th, and handed his copy to tho " Advertiser " for publication On the motion of Mr Becroft the letter was referred to the incoming Board for consideration. Mr Megson, who was present, asked if the Government could take the Springs if tln-y had a niina to ; to which the Chairman replied that he was of the opinion tliev could.

Mr Bocroft said that thn Springs had unco In'm handod over to tin; Tourist Department, lint thoy did not developo them ami tho Board got them back.

Mr McL;-.o] yave the history of the Springs situ;;) it had boon in the Board's hands. He contended that the new Bean?, ii' they decided to part with them, simuld lirsf wait on the Prime Minister nnd Minister in charge of the Tourist Dppntmeni, and find out what tlu'v in!ended to do to develope them, before patting the matter before the people for their decision. His opinion was that if they took them over it would be a good thing for the district,

After final farewells the meeting closed.