CAMBRIDGE DOMAIN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2541, 23 October 1888, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE DOMAIN BOARD.

The above Board met on Saturday, shortly alter noon. Present: Messrs T. Wells (chairman), K. Hewitt, R. Kirkwood, and J. Fisher. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Tkndeus.— The tenders for cutting and burning tho fern round Te Koutn Lake— about 10 acres —were opened, and proved as follows :—James Rivers, £27 5s ; J. Hicks, £2n 10s; T. Brown, £20; Walter Webb (informal), £15 12s; D. Hickey, £14 ; U. Mann and AV. Bartlett, £12 10s; R. Wattam, £7 15s. After the meeting was over it was ascertained that another tender had been forwarded by Robert Shaw, for £11 19s 9d. It had, however, miscarried, but it was informal, as jt did not contain £1 deposit.—The Chairman said he thought Wattam must have made a mistake. He felt sure the work could not be done for £7 15s.—Mr Fisher said that Wattam bore the character of a man who always gave satisfaction in any work he undertook, and ho thought they ought to give him the chance of taking up the contract.—The Chairman also thought so, but did not tkink one man could finish the work in the stipulated time—by December 15th—and at the price Wattam had tendered for ho could not afford to employ assistance. —It was eventually resolved, on tho motion of Mr Fisher, seconded by Mr Kirkwood, that Wattam's tender be accepted, and that, on his failing t>. take it up, the chairman be authorised to offer it to the next lowest tenderer.

Section 17.—Tho Chairman asked what was to bo done with section No. 17, that was now vacant. Mr Carter had given up possession nearly a month, and there should be a fair amount of feed upon it now, but the wind-mill was blown down and the pump was out nf repair, and he supposed no one would take the paddock unless they had. a water supply. Ho would never again vote for iviuuniill pumps being put up on Domain lands. They were very good for private people who attended to them ; but tenants expected them to go for ever, without a drop of oil, and consequently thej' were soon done up. He thought it would be much better to put a force pump, and then the individual who had to work it would see that it was oiled. —Mr Kirk wood thought they should let the paddock for five or seven years, as it was not likely to be wanted for recreation purposes for many Clerk said the grass had almost run out.—Mr Fisher suggested that a crop of turnips eaten off tho land would do it good, but it was now too late to prepare the land and get them in this season. —It was resolued to let the section for nine months, and to crop it next year, as suggested by Mr Fisher. It was also resolved to put in a No. 4 force pnnip, and the Clerk was instructed to call for tenders, returnable on November 3rd, for cleansing the well, providing and erecting the pump, and carting the eld one to the sale yard.

A Flax Mill.—The Chairman .read the following letter which he had received that morning: Dear Sir. —It is the intention of the undersigned (if possible) to erect upon the small stream of water flowing through Section 50 of Domain land at Cambridge West, a water wheel and flax dressing machine. We therefore require to know whether we can obtain from the Domain Board the right to use the water power. We are of opinion (after careful survey) that the stream may be used for that purpose, and that possibly it would afford employment to a number of people, flax dressing, rope making, etc We should not require the whole of section i>3, but if the whole of it would havo to be taken, we trust that the Board will see their way to charge only a nominal rental, with a view to encourage a local industry. The Wnsto Lands Board own a section joining on to No. 53, which would nlso have to be. obtained, as the water is difficult of ncoess from section 03. We remain, &c, Ciiaiileh Chittv, Philip Cooper."—The Chairman said it was clearly their duty to encourage any local industry. Tho section was let to Mr White, but he was sure he would not object to give it up, as it was no good for grazing purposes ; in fact he (the chairman) would undertake to get Mr White to give it up, and he did not think he should have as much trouble to do so as he had to get him to take it.—After a lengthy discussion of a conversational character, it was resolved to grant Messrs Chitty and Cooper a 21 years' lease from November 10th next, subject to the usual restrictions embodied in the domain leases as to buildings, &c. This waa all the business,