THE TUAKAU DOMAIN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 581, 5 November 1920, Page 2

THE TUAKAU DOMAIN.

For some considwable time past an effort, has been made by the Toakau Town Board to meet,in confer-

ence with the Tuakau^Domij(joßoar(l

| to consider the advisability or otKet# . wise of disposing of a portion of tip' j , 'l'uakau Domain Reserve, the proofed* I from which are to be utilised j* the acquisition of a domain in M. more central position. The domain, which we of about 37 acres, is sjnated on the Town Board district blundary, about a mile or more from lhe centre of the Tuakau township. Vfhe greater portion of the reserve As been leased, and a very small #e®pnue is derived therefrom. Thefoomain is certairifc situatel on aigood main rojrtl to Omvhero, But f»m all account is ( too fa%away mbtfrthe town tofloe of 'much mlue tM sports clubs, apnough it is otmsiomlly used by m«ic parties. AWLiwrm propertyJme reserve is but from point of viewit re more or \om useless. At . Tuesdawni&ht's meetiip^of the Town Board afletter was from the Domair* authorities pointing out than ; they hfl no powejMo dispose of any i port icy of the nor WQulri the: Minister oi' , Sternal Affaiiwthat any portion of L mc Domain hfsoid. The Town Board *nd knows quite well

f fiat a doiJpin board or any othe >oard hasMo authority to dispose o my pubreserve without the con sent ofJlhe Minister. All the Towi BoardJPvanted was a conference be tweewitself and the Domain Board butMnose in control of the reserv sliJTted the board in this respect TM request was a very reasonabh jmc, and no harm would have com' Krom the conference, but a great dea of good for the whole district maj have resulted. Some members of th< Town Board are confident that a suit able football ground could not b< obtained in the whole of the thirtyseven acres. If a football ground the dimensions of which are at th< most about 160 yards by 75 yards could not be got out of the area, then we consider that the reserve is

practically useless for sporting pur poafs. No doubt a cricket pitch could be obtained, but it view'of the distance of the reserve from the town there is not much inducement for the youth of Tuakau to go such a distance' to participate in a game of any kind. If a big' sports' meeting was held on the present Domain vyould, no doubt, be an influx ' fromAtfcldand, Hamiltor. 1 localities, but f o exwho have travelled long . to proceed, perhaps on foot distance from the at once put a damper on such a meeting for all time, asLfa as visitors were concerned. Mongggep women and children appreciated' tending such -.sports as football, ket, and an athletic meeting, C'Snfti women with perambulators and children would not care to walk say. Harrisville, to the Domain, Town Board' is to be commended, "or (he attitude it has* taken up in pet! tioning Parliament to pass legislation this sessjon have the Domain included in the Town Board area ami vested und?r the control of ..the low Board. Another important point worthy of that althoug the Domain belongs to, the people <,i Tuakau? tbe Tuakau town, district I at present without* a Domain, ii' suggestion of the Town Board to 11. Domain Board to retonm*«#kfchc di posal.of a portion of tTie reserve s; 4hat ;i» areata $ more lion cou'ld be acquired with the proceeds, 1 ' was a vei;y ir the interests of'the -A*'domain in a central pagStaKtfl }£ i finable asset for the district, :a.>i if * trie Tuakau people had an aj*t:: somewhere near the centre of, tl • town it would become a very popula: spot indeed. The present Domain is neither use nor ornament, judging !>v the support it has'received Jn t ! «> past, and the sooner a central si-' is acquired the better it will' be_ fc>, the district as a whole. Even if portipn of the present Domain was disposed of, there would be ; lriph: ground remaining to meet with't! < requirements of the people of Tuakau South, or an extended fuak' i-

rproper, for many generations, and the present Domain Board would not .be obliged to relinquish its local body status.