THE PUNIU DOMAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1906, 23 September 1884, Page 2

THE PUNIU DOMAIN.

A poktion of this domain, which is situated in To Rahu, has been planted w ifch trees and very mucli impioved. The impiovements were done accoiding t<i a plan sketched out by Mr Johns, and under his Mipervibion. Tho manner in which it has been laid out reflects great credit on his taste. The extent, of the domain in over 80 acres, about bixty, of which are bu->h, but the timber on this has been sold, and the most .suitable part of the remainder (about .si\ acres), hat, been planted with ornamental and other troos, The boaid was appointed about three years ago, and during that time the l.md was offeied for lease on improvement conditions, but no tenant could be found, .so the trustees, Messrs Bond, Walton and Johns, decided to plant and have the ground in order for recreation purposes, as there is no suitable place of the kind, unless by pei mission of some private owner. The trustees have a a considerable sum of money in hand, of which they are making the best by having ife deposited in the bank at (5 per cent, interest. The interest from this source will be .sufficient to keep the giound in order and plant from time to time such trees and shrubs as may be deemed most suitable. The object of having specimen trees of \arious kinds has been kept in view, so that the settlers might see their relative merits. The ground is not the most suitable for pleasure parties, but it is the only piece at present available and the most is being made of it by laying it off as tastefully as possible, but in time to come the funds which will Accumulate may perhaps be devoted to the purchase of a better and more centrally situated piece of land for the whole district, and more suited to all public purposes. This place, however, has this merit : it will be available for all pleasure paities, and will be cjuito large enough for the purpose, for a time, At present picnic parties are indebted to the kindness of private persons for the use of a paddock, which, though cheerfully granted sometimes, may put the owner to some inconvenience. The number of trustees originally appointed was five, but two have since died, and no others have been appointed in their stead. The local governing bodies have been asked by the surviving trustees to nominate two in plaoo of those who clied. As this domain is for the whole district, a trustee each from Kihikihi and Rangiaohia should be nominated. Te Awamutu, Te Rahu, and the Ngaroto-Ohaupo districts are now represented.— (Own Correspondent.)