HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2331, 18 June 1887, Page 2

HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD

The usual monthly meeting of the board was held last night. Present: Messrs Barton (chairman), Knox, Von Sturmer, Jones, Bell, Soott, Tippen and Dey. Mr Franklin applied to be allowed to transfer his lease of domain lands at Hamilton East to Mr Bygrave.—Considerable discussion ensued, Messrs Kuox and Bell contending that as the board had decided to put a stop to the system of transferring leases, no exception should be made. Mr Von Sturmer moved that the request in this instance be granted, but that the lessees be informed that no further transfers would be granted. This was seconded by Mr Tippen. Mr Knox moved to amend the motion by the addition of words to the effect that all other tenants of the baard who are anxious to get rid of their lands be invited by advertisement in The Waikato Times to apply to the board. The amendment, after members had indulged.in a little chaff, w&s withdrawn, and the motion was then put and carried. Mr Knox then gave notice to move at next meeting that, in view of the depression, the rents of the board's tenants be reduced 50%.—A letter referred to the board by the .borough council, .was road, from Mr D. Lees, the ranger, recommending that Sydney Square be let for grazing, and offering to take charge of the square on similar terms, to those subsisting between him and the council regarding the other paddocks. The proposal was received with favour by the board, with the exception of Mr Tippen, who said sheep would destroy the macrocarpa hedge. The ranger, who spoke at the invitation of the board, said he felt sure sheep would not touch the hedge. After some further discussion the recommendation was adopted, Mr Tippen dissenting. — A number of domain tenants petitioned the board to form Selkirk and Rosstrevorstreets,' in order that they might obtain access to their lands. This provoked a long debate. Mr Knox moved that the matter be held over until next meeting, after consideration of his motion to reduce the Mr Bell seconded the motion. The Chairman moved that the matter be referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs Dey and Tippen, with power to invite tenders for the work, to be opened at next meeting. This was seconded by Mr Jones. Mr Knox protested against incurring any further expense until the overdraft was reduced. At present they were overdrawn £IG6, while their income was only £140, which he could tell them would have to be reduced to £70 at the next meeting. Cr, Scott said Mr Knox assumed that his motion would be carried, whereas it would not. Moreover the amount required was very small, only some £4 or £5. Mr Knox said it was the thin end of the wedge.—The amendment was then put and carried.—The Improvement Committee reported, recommending that lots 309 and 37G be not leased, as they formed a valuable site. The report was adopted. It was desided to put up Galloway-street reserve for one years's lease at an upset price of 5s per acre.—Mr. Knox moved that the secretary obtain a legal opinion as to whether members of the board having leased domain lands could vote in the mattsr of reducing the rent.—Mr Von Stunner said it was very improbable that any of the members who were lessees would vote against the reduction. The motion was lost. In regard to Mr Proctor's account it was decided to pay the amount on the production of a receipt signed by Mr jTippen, Mr Edgecumbe, in whose hands the matter was left, having resigned his position on the board. ' This was all the business, and the board rose.