Water Supply Coveted

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 391, 27 June 1928, Page 18

Water Supply Coveted

ONE TREE HILL WANTS TO CONTROL DOMAIN LOCAL BODIES OBJECT A surprise was sprung upon the Mount Roskill Road Board last evening by a move made by the One Tree Hill Road Board to obtain sole control of the One Tree Hill Domain, and incidentally the underground water supply. The Commissioner of Crown Lands advised the board that the question of appointing a new board to control the One Tree Hill Domain was under consideration and it had been suggested by the One Tree Hil Board that that body should be appointed to act in that capacity. “It appears to me,” said the commissioner, “that that body could carry out the functions of a domain board much more expeditiously and economically than could be done by a special board. However, before taking any action I would be glad if your beard would consider the question and advise me.” The Onehunga Borough Council also wrote protesting against the proposal as a retrograde step, and not in the best interests of the domain, nor of the inhabitants of the suburban districts surrounding the domain. The letter explained that the domain had been controlled under the present system for the past 42 years, and had been efficiently and economically administered, in view of the fact that the annual revenue amounts to only £179. The present constitution of the board was as follows: The member for Manukau, the Mayor of Onehunga, the chairmen of the Mount Roskill and One Tree Hill Road Boards, Messrs. Chas. Bagley, A. S. Bankart, S. Gilbert, John Rowe and Mr. H. Wynyard. *The Onehunga Borough Council considered that neither Mount Roskill nor Onehunga should be deprived of a direct voice in the management of the domain, which practically served the purpose of a park and playing area for their residents. The same arguments adduced by the road board for the control of the domain applied to the Mount Smart Domain, which was also in its area, “but.” continued the letter, “so far no indications of underground water have been discovered in the latter, which ma> account for its control not being sought after.” The Borough Council therefore asked the board for its support in opposing the application of the One Tree Hill Board. In discussing the question, Mr. G. E Tansley said that he would strongly oppose any change in control. Mr. T Davies voiced a similar opinion and said that if the One Tree Hill Board struck water in the domain it could create a very undesirable monopoly. “The water question looms largely in the picture,” said Mr. Jones. “We must not part with our say in this question. The domain should continue under the control of the local bodies.” It was unanimously agreed to support the Onehunga Borough Council in its protest

Bible In Schools. —A mass meeting of citizens in Palmerston North last evening passed a resolution in favour of the ’-.itroduction of Bible teaching into the curriculum of primary schools. —P.A.