OUR LETTER BOX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 118, 23 May 1904, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX.

(We are at all times willing to publish correspondence on matters of public interest, but it must be distinctly understood that we are not identified with the letters of our correspondents.—Ed. Daily News.) TATtANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Your uorrespondent, "Centipede," can scarcely have seen the report of tho proceedings of the subcommittee which appeared in yo'ir columns on April 11th last, or he wc:ld not have written his letter. 1 would ask you, as the subject is of importance and properly ono in which many arc] interested, to republish the report in question, together with the enclosed copy of a letter from myself to the Minister of Agriculture on Ul-h April last. A few days ago I wrote to the Department urging that n reply might be sent as quickly as possible. Until it can be ascertained whether part of the Prison Reserve can be obtained', and, if so, on what terms, it is manifest that the committee cannot proceed.—l am, etc., OLIVEK SAMUEL, President A. and P. Society. New Plymouth, 21st May, 1904.

In tho Daily News of April 11 we reported a meeting of the sub-com-mittee appointed by the Taranaki Society held at the office of Mr Samuel, when Messrs Samuel (chairman), N. Kilmg, H. Okey, Jl. King, F. M, Mills, J. S. Coimett, J. C. George, S. Teed and C. Wells were present. Mr Samuel submitted , . . . particulars and plans of two sites—each of about ten acres. One of these is at present part of that portion of the racecourse reserve lying to the east of the Avenue Road, of which he suggested that about 2i acres might be vested in the borough as an endowment for revenue or other purposes, for which the borough would doubtless relinquish their grazing revenue as from the whole reserve. Mr Samuel said an arrangement might be made by which the society's land at St. Germain's Square (about 1J acres) might be vested in the borough also, in exchange for the ten acres east of Eliot Street either for revenue purposes or recreation as the llorough Council might with the approval of Parliament decide.

• • » Mr Samuel Bald that ha had no doubt that the Jockey Club the members of which were for the most part members of the Agricultural Society and were all interested in the welfare of the district, would facilitate the arrangement and give up its rights over the 12$ acres east of Eliot Street ; but for" his part he thought tluit it would |,o fax more satisfactory if the Act which would bo necessary to curry out the arrangement were to vest the remaindtp of the racecourse in trustees, ■ . . Mr Samuel also submitted a plan of ten acres of the Prison Heserve at Moturoa fronting the breakwater roml and Harretl Uoad, and explained the position and the probable dilliculties in the way of obtaining that site. After*a lengthy discussion it was resolved that Mr Samuel bo requested to communicate with the Government so as to ascertain whether it would favour legislation for the purpose of Mewling in the society the 10 acres of Hie Prison Reserve, and, if so, on what terms.

Ponding this 'being done and a reply received it was decided that the general committee be requested to await a notice of meeting to be given by the sub-committee.—Ed. T.l) News.

New Plymouth, 11th April, 1904. Taranaki Agricultural Society. „ Slr ~ Tllis society, established on -4th June, 1872, and incorporated under "The Agricultural und Pastoral Societies' Act, 1877," lias been for some time in a Innguishinff condition, probably principally owing to the fact tbat the land which it owns is unsuitable for its purposes. This land consists of St. Germain's Square, in the town of New Plymouth, which is no doubt'of great value, but contains only 1 'acre 2 roods 20 porches. At a.general meeting of the Society recently held, it was considered that it was absolutely necessary that steps should be taken to put the society on a more satisfactory basis, and m particular to procure a more suitable site for the purposes of the society—one on which there would be room to build the necessary buildings und enclosures.

A committee wus appointed of which I was chairman, and it appears to us that probably the most suitable site would bo part of the Prison Reserve near Moturoa, of which I enclose tracing. No other part of tho reserve than this (containing 10 acres) would -be suitable. I havo the honour to request you to inform mo whether the Govern ment will bo disposed to grant to the society as a freehold this 10 acres in exchange for St. Germain's Square above referred to. As meanwhile, and pending a definite reply, the committee can dp nothing, I shall feel grateful if you will proeuro me a reply as soon as possible. To facilitate matters 1 am forwarding a copy of this letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands here and to tho Stock Inspector, Mr Rowan, so that a telegram from you will suilico to obtain for you tlieir report.—l have the honour to bo. Sir, your most obedient servant, OLIVER SAMUEL, Chairman of Committee. The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Wellington.