PUTARURU DOMAIN.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 233, 19 April 1928, Page 4

PUTARURU DOMAIN.

UNSUITABLE FOR SPORT. Decision to Exchange. There did not appear to be any possibility of unanimity among members of the Putaruru Domain Board as to the method of handling the Domain when thp board met last Monday. At a previous meeting several hours had been spent in discussing the subject following the receipt of tenders for the bush, but at the last meeting the unexpected happened and it was unanimously decided to endeavour to exchange the present block for another piece of land more suitable for the requirements of the town.

Mr. Tomalin led off the discussion by stating in emphatic terms that he had thought over the question a great deal since the last meeting, and he was now convinced that the only business-like manner of treating the section was to make a clean sweep of all the trees, and with the money obtained secure a better ground. When it was burned off and cleared they could either grass the area or replant with trees. The block was useless as it stood, and he thought that was the only way to treat it. Mr. Barr Brown: Well, I am still against it. I don’t know what you want to cut the trees for.

Mr. Lindsay thought it would take all the money received for the timber to pay for the planting and maintenance of the trees. The maintenance would be heavy or else the blackberries would smother the young trees.

Mr. Barr Brown: Why not try cleaning it up, and see what we can do by that ? Mr. Tomalin: The blackberries will beat you-all the time. Mr. Barr Brown: Put bullocks on.

Mr. Tomalin: There’s no feed there, let alone water. I have been reading about redwoods, and they require shelter the first few years, and the second growth would provide that. Mr. Barr Brown: If you are going to plant it why not hand it over to the afforestation company ? The chairman: I am agreeable to hand it to anyone who will pay for it, in order, to get a sports ground for the town. The point at issue is to turn a useless eyesore into an asset. Mr. Lindsay: Blackberries will kill any trees we plant. I have seen blackberries growing in native bush. Continuing, Mr. Lindsay mentioned other points, and concluded that owing to the heavy fall of needles that pines were the only trees which would kill undergrowth. Mr. Neal (quickly, in resigned tones): Then let’s have pines. (Loud laughter). Mr. Lindsay: What about an exchange ? It was done in Hamilton.

After some further discussion it was unanimously agreed that an endeavour be made to exchange the property for one more suitable. , Mr. Neal asked for particulars with reference to tenure, and it was explained that any further land acquired would have to be vested in the name of the King, and gate money could only be charged on so many days in the year. The alternative was for the Town Board to purchase land from its own funds and vest such property in the board’s name.