DOMAIN BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 38, 14 February 1914, Page 3

DOMAIN BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Domain Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (in the chair), T. H. Penn, 11. McK. Morison, and P. Thomson. New Plymouth Picnic. In connection with the proposed picnic of New Plymouth school children to , Stratford on March 12th, it was stated that the committee of the Fire Brigade Fete were willing to allow all the children on the ground without charge. c The picnic was generally discussed, and it was found that the Board had very little to offer the children, as there was no water in either park.— A suggestion was made that probably the very best locale for the picnic would be the showgrounds. It was finally decided that the New Plymouth schools be offered the use of the parks. Wifth’s Circus. Wirth’s Circus was granted the use of the Recreation Ground on the usual terms. The Risk of Fire. Mr Penn reported that a rather serious fire had occurred in King Edward Park, evidently caused through a match being thrown down. He asked if the Board intended to do anything to minimise the danger.from fire. > I It was felt that probably the fire was .wilfully caused and it was decided to erect a sign-post, pointing out the penalty enforceable on persons causing a fire in a park. It was pointed out that the fine asset in King Edward Park was in danger of complete destruction from the careless throwing down of matches.

1 Mr Penn stated that lie had smelt I the fire in question on Wednesday, shut there was no smoke, and he failed to locate the fire until noon on Friday. |The lire was running through pine 'needles and was not very fierce and might have progressed for many days, only being discovered when it had a good hold on the hush. Permanent Caretaker. t Mr Morison said that he thought the' time had arrived when the Board should engage a permanent caretaker. He thought one could be supported if , ihe Borough Council made a grant to theißoardbs‘funds. ; ■- ■ 1 ;? Mr Kirkwood said that in a young t^nd) growing cbmmunity the municipality had to pe careful of its funds, most which Wdi'k absolutely ilecessiuV for jhe i upkeep* of thei streets. -i ‘ ,:i ‘ *} Mr Mbrisohlsaidheihad' no desire to 1 ‘have a resolution passed—he merely desired to air the matter. Probably | by next meeting the Council might 1 look favorably on the proposal. I Mr Kirkwood said he was quite I favorable to the suggestion, but feared ,/the Council could not see its way clear Ido makpiithe-proposed grdnt. ' 1 ' .1,3 .p.oP ' .1. :I b't... i'fi i Annual Report. ™ I j The annhaiH-epoi’d stated |” ; Works undertakenqyul completed of , progress made.—Plantations thinned j o«t where necessary. v Tress and 'hedl'.os trimmed. Fern and scrub cut. i Fences repaired,' Tress- planted and 'protecting fences erected. The sus- ! pension bridge has been repaired and ! the decking tarred. Proposed improvemnts and estimated cost.—lmprovements will comprise ■ planting,,,extension of walks, erection of seats, etc. etieral.— I The Board’s term of office expired on April 2nd Inst, and the present Board was appointed. Four of the former members still retain their seats. Mr P. F. Ralfe not seeking reelection, Mr P. Thomson was appointed to the vacancy. The old grandstand on I ictoria Park was offered at auction and realised £9 14s 3d net. Permanent improvements existing.— About five and a half miles of fencing. Fifteen acres of plantations. Football and hockey grounds. Suspension bridge, seats, paths and croquet lawns.

What Domain is used for.—Victoria Park: Cricket, football, croquet, sports, etc. King Edward Park: Hod key, band concerts, picnics and promenades. Other, parts are lot for grazing purposes. .

Portions leased.—Tlie area of the Domain is 86 acres ,21 porches, of which 46 acres is leased. Improvements to bo effected by lessees.—All the Board’s reserves are lot on a yearly tenancy, tenants having in some cases to keep fences in repair and keep down noxious weeds. Conditions are generally carried out to the Board’s satisfaction. Balance-sheet. The statement of assets and liabilities showed a total of assets of £4l 2s, including posts £26 4s, and cash in hand and in bank £lO 7s Id. The liabilities wore represented by sundry accounts totalling £l6 13s Id. The receipts totalled £124 2s 7d, including balance brought forward £ls 7s 7d, rents £76 17s 9d, and grazing fees £l4 Ms. The expenditure totalled £ll3 15s 6d, the largest item being wages £SB 9s 2d. Material and tools for new works cost £8 7s 4d, and for maintenance work £l6 18s 6d. The Year's Operations. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet Mr Kirkwood said that in some quarters the efforts of the Board were belittled; but he thought that when it was considered that the Board had 86 acres of reserves and 5-J miles of fencing under its control it would be found that the Board had got good value for the money expended. He thought much more money might have been spent without getting similar results. It had been suggested that the stoiie should be taken from the river in King Edward

Park from the suspension bridge to Brecon Road, but the Board had always objected to such a proposal. In years to come it was possible that the stretch in question would he the only one in which there would be any stone. If the stone wore removed it would lake all the beauty from the river. Mr Morison seconded. Mr Penn suggested that more of the Board’s land should be fenced and let, in order to increase the revenue for improvement purposes. Mr Morison said the suggestions made to the Board were sometimes ridiculous. One such was that the whole of King Edward Park should be felled. Mr Penn said that in the larger centres the park authorities would spend hundreds of pounds in putting stones in a stream and in making artificial cascades. In King Edward Park they had these things naturally. He knew of places in Wales whore thousands of people visited a spot very much like the Patea River in the Park.