DOMAIN BOARD.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 163, 31 July 1886, Page 2

DOMAIN BOARD.

A special meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday evening at 7.30. Present: Me^sis Gavin, Ahier (sec), Lipsey, and Quinn. Mr Wilson, clniinnan of the Board, being absent at Thames, Mr Quinn moved that Mr Gavin take the chair. Seconded by Mr Ahier, and canied. Minutes of the pievious meeting were first read and confirmed. Correspondence. — Fioni H. J. H. Hawkins, offering to pinis insignis and macrocarpa at 12s Gd per 100 ; also a variety of other trees. From H. Siilwell, Thames, forwarding printed price list of fiuit and ornamental trees, shrubs, etc. The following letter was read from the General Crown Lnnds Office, Wellington, dated July 6th : To G. Wilson, Esq., Chairman Domain Board, Te Aroha. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 22nd, reporting upon the Te Aroha Hot Springs for the year ending 31st May, 188G, and recommending that an expenditure of £2500 be incurred in improving and extending the Domain. In reply, I am directed by the Minister of Lands to state that as the Government cannot promise more than £500 in aid of the Domain during the year, you should specify the works which are more immediately required within that limit. I have, etc., H. J. H. Eliott, Sec. It was the opinion of the Board that further efforts should be made to induce Government to grant a larger sum. The Engineer was instructed to prepare plans, etc., showing works most urgently needed to the extent of £500, as requested by Government. Mr Ciump, Engineer to the Board, advised the planting of 300 or 400 more pinis insignis and macrocarpa, etc., also some more willow poles ; and stated that Mr Kenrick had recommended him to plant some oaks. The Engineer stated he believed Mr A. J. Allom of Thames would give sonic young oaks for that purpose. Resolved, That the Engineer be instructed to call for tenders for the supply of about 400 mixed trees. The Secretary was instructed to convey the thanks of the Board to Messrs Elliott and Wiseman (Thames) for some trees kindly given by them. Chalmers Complaint- — The matter of a complaint laid in writing by Mr J. L. Ohalmers, against the caretaker (Mr McKoe) for using insulting language towards him, etc., was again brought up* (It will be remembered that the complaint first came before the Board at their meeting on June sth; and on June ]9th both McKee and Chalmers were present at a meeting of the Board and their evidence taken, which appeared in our issue of Juno 2Gth.) The written evidence of a lady who happened to be in the Domain office at tho time the alleged insulting language was made use of by the caretaker was read, and fully corroborated the evidence of McKce as given before the Board on June 19th. The Chairman : I consider Mr Chalmers has completely failed to substantiate either his charge against McKee, or written statement as contained in his letter. Mr Lipsey : It was all veiy fine for Mr Chalmers to say Now the matter

had been ventilated he was willing ta withdraw the charge, as it appears McKee was nut in the wrong. The following resolution was moved by Mr Lipsey, " That the Board do not consider that thy charge made by Mr Chalmers against the caretaker MoKee, hus been substantiated " Seconded by Mr Qainn, and carried j the Secretary being instructed to send a ccpy oC the resolution to McKee. Appointment of Engineer, Clerk, etc. — Mr Lipsey bad given notice of motion that at the next Board meeting he should recommend the appoin.tmen.fc of a permanent clerk, etc. The matter was discussed at considerable lergth. Mr Lipsey said : It was highly desii'able that some ono should always be at hand to show visitors round the baths and domain and have genera! supervision, especially now that their Chairman Mr Wilson, who had taken a great interest in the Domain and given up much tune to it, was away so much, afc the Thames and elsewhere. If possible, ifc would be well to appoint some one whom they could make responsible for: the issue of tickets, act as general secretary, receive and lodge all monies, etc. He could think of no one more suitable than Mr Crump, the present Engineer to the Board, and he would propose that, if he would accept the position, he be appointed at a salary of £100 pcr 1 annum •, for which sum he would bo expected to prepare any plans, etc., required, and superintend all works, without extra charge Mr Ahier : If Mr Lipsey's proposal means for Mr Cramp to look after the tickets, and do all my work as secretary, with the exception of keeping the financial books, lam satisfied, There are not many men who can go and take the minutes and write them into the minutebook there and then ; it requires a certain amount of practice. lam quite willing, however, for Mr Crump to take down the minutes at the meeting-?, lean enter them up afterwards ; and tor him to take ami loJge all monies and look after the tickets, etc , and I can keep the books from his record. The Chairman informed Mr Crump that it was a matter of necessity that one of their members act as secretary, and therefore the financial books would still be kept by Mr Ahier, as heretofore. Resolved, That Mr Ply. Crdnip be appointed engineer, clerk, and general manager to the Board, at a salary at tho rate of £100 a year ; duties to be as follows: 1, To take charge of all works in the Domain. Prepare all pl:<ns required, and act generally as engineer to the Board ; and perform nil work in connection with the duties of an engineer. 2. To act as clerk to the Board. Distribute tickets for sale, receive payments for such, bank receipts each Saturday, prepare cheques for signature of Chairman and {Secretary, answer all cor-» respondent, take charge of all vouchers, and generally assist the Secretary. Tho Engineer to be allowed to engage in private practice. 3. To be general manager and supervisor of the Domain under the instructions of the Board, A lengthy discussion eiiaiied respecting the best method of arranging for tho disposal of tickets ; it being- the opinion of every member that no tickets ought to be sold at the Domain office ; or through the caretaker. I\o decision was come to as regards the best course to adopt, the matter being adjourned to a future meeting Accounts. — Accounts to the amount of £17 odd were passed for payment. Right of Advertising. — Mr Quimi said he wished to know wheu Mr. It. Broil nan's offer: (of £1 per annum rot first iive years, and £2 per annum for" last live years for the sole right to use the interior of the bath houses for advertising- purposes for ten years, npoli • cant to have the right to erect hoardings within the Domain grounds for the same purpose during the term, in such pi ices as the Board approved of), would be dealt with. The application had bet".i sent in to the meeting ->f tlie Board held on June sth, and Mr Biennan had requested him to ask when ifc would be dealt with. Mr Ahier said : Mr Wibon, their chairman, wished to be present when this application was discussew), and as 113 was absent at the Thames he would ask that it be adjourned till next meeting, which would take place on that day fortnight ' Mr Quinn ; Will Mr Wilson be sure to be present then ? Mr Ahier : 1 certainly think so. The Chairman : Then we'll adjourn it till this day fortnight, and deal with it then. This was all tho business.