NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW GROUND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 703, 18 June 1878, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW GROUND.

Messrs. Connell, Dunlop, andßonayne, as a deputation from the North Otagu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, waited upon the Municipal Council at its meeting last evening for the purpose of ascertaining the views of Councillors with reference to the proposed exchange of the Society's present Show Ground for a reserve belonging to the Municipality adjoining the property of the Hon. M. Holmes,

Mr. Connell said that the matter which the deputation wished to bring under the notice of the Council was a proposal from the Agricultural and Pastoral Society to exchange its present Show Ground with the Corporation for the reserve near the Hon. M. Holmes'. The Society's Ground is not large enough, and they had looked round for a better site,, the result being the selection of the reserve mentioned as the most suitable, They had been appointed a deputation to wait upon the Council with reference to the matter, and ascertain on what terms the Council would agree to an exchange of land, and grant the Society the freehold of the reserve ; or if they would not grant the freehold, to ascertain on what terms the Council would grant a lease for twentyone years.

The Mayor said there would be an indisposition on the part of the Council to part with nny reserve which might be required for recreation purposes. He had had a long conversation with the President of tils! Society on the subject. The understanding which they had come to was that the ground should be vested in trustees, of whom the Mayor for the time being should be one ; that the Association should have the right of euferiuy upnii iho ground at any time for the purpose of holding Shows, with the power of levying any charge for admission, and of letting the ground to the Caledonian Society, or other bodies, for the purpose of holding sports; also that the land should be planted and beautified, and be open to the public at all times free, except when used for the purposes named. Mr. Duulop asKfcd if the Hon. Mr. iiohnes proposed to hand over the .Society's present ground entirely to tho Cu'-puri-.i iua on those terms. Tho Mavor : 01), yes.

Mr. Gonnell said that the Council might leave the Hon. Mr. Holmes' rugerestions out of consideration altogether. That gentleman had not been present at the meeting's of the Committee, and ho did not think the Society would he likely to agree to the proposal mentioned by his Worship. The Society would require to put up sheds and other buildings for their use, and lie certainly r.hought the." should have more control over the ground . . in it was proposed to give them. They would' in effect have little or no control over it.

Mr. Headland asked if the Society would agree to a proposal to the effect that they should have full power over the reserve, in trust, with the proviso that the ground should not be let for building purposes, and should never be alienated by the Society. Mr. Gibbs said that under the arrangement proposed by the Mayor the Society would have the practical charge of the ground. The Mayor said that in making any arrangement they would have to be very careful, as they had to consider those who came after them.

Mr. Dunlop pointed out that the Society would hand over to the Corporation six acres of land actually within the town in exchange for land considerably outside of the town boundary, and said that a very large revenue might be derived from the six acres —considerably more, in fact, than could be obtained from the reserve asked for. Mr. Headland said the Council were not likely to be influenced solely by revenue considerations. They had to look to the probability of the town greatly extending, when for the promotion of the health of the town the large reserves, such aa that asked for, would be absolutely required. Mr. Gibbs pointed out that when the present Show Ground was Crown granted to the Society it was so granted specially for show purposes. Had it been known at that time that there was a possibility of the ground ever passing out of the hands of the Society the land would not have been granted, for the proposal would have met with very strong' opposir fcion.

Mr. Dunlop pointed out that under a recent Act the Society had power to dispose of its Show Grounds if they were found to be too small for the purpose, as was now the case. Councillor Headland asked if the Society had any definite proposals to lay before the Council.

Mr. Connell said they had. If the Council would had over the 19 acres mentioned to the Society for its purposes, the Society would give in exchange its ground, comprising five and a half or six acres. He might say that the Society had within the last few days refused L4OOO for its ground. This was no inr Considerable sum to offer to the Council for the nineteen acres.

After a little further discussion, Councillor Booth said the matter had assumed a different aspect sineo hearing the deputation. He did not see how the Council could possibly give up the reserve on the terns mentioned. He looked upon the laud asked for as of nearly, if not equal,

value to that comprised in the Society's present ground. It would be absurd for the Council to think of making such an exchange as that proposed. Mr. Dunlop mentioned that a section in front of the Council's reserve had lately been disposed of for L9O only; while a quarter-acre section directly opposite the Society's land had been sold only a few days ago■for L3CS. This showed the very great difference in the value of' the two pieces of land sought to be exchanged. Some little desultory discussion then took place. Councillor Headland said that if the reserve asked for by the Society was placed in trust for the Society's purposes, with power to charge for admission, aud to let it to any other society for sports, &c, the whole object of the Society would be obtained. Of course, provision would have to be made for having the reserve planted with trees. Mr. Dunlop asked who would have to undertake the planting of the reserve. ' Councillor Headland: The Society, of course.

Mr. Dunlop thought that, in the matter of planting, some assistance should be given by the Council. It having been remarked that, were the reserve handed over to the Society whdly, it might eventually pass from the town altogether, His Worship suggested that a clause might be inserted in the Bill which would be necessary to enable the exchange to be made, to tho effect that, should there be no Agricultural and Pastoral Association in existence in the district at any time for a certain period, the reserve should revert to the town. After some further discussion of a conversational nature, the deputation thanked the Council and withdrew.

It was resolved—That the proposal of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association for an exchange of their present Show Ground for Municipal Reserve C be referred to the Reserves Committee, to report upon what terms, if any, such exchange might be effected. Also, that the Reserves Committee be further directed to report as to the position of Reserve C, adjoining Mr. Holmes' property, stating upon what conditions is is held, and for what term.