THE CAMBRIDGE DOMAIN DISPUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2548, 8 November 1888, Page 2

THE CAMBRIDGE DOMAIN DISPUTE.

As briefly reported in our Tuesday's issue, the deputation from Cambridge West waited upon the Domain Board on Monday evening. The whole Board were present, with the exception of Mr E. B. Walker. Mr T. W. Hicks apologisod for his seeming neglect in not having invited the members of the Board to be present at the Cambridge West meeting, and then briefly stated the case, which resolved itself into two questions which the inhabitants of the West side of the river wanted answering, viz : If the Board were willing to spend the revenue accruing from the Cambridge West domain lands, on that side; and when they would be prepared to pay back the £300 borrowed. The Clerk said the amount borrowed was £250, not £300. The Chairman (Mr Wells) said he would answer the latter question first, and the answer would practically also be an answer to the former. He must, however, before giving an answer, give the explanation which he should have given if he had attended the meeting held last week at Cambridge West. When the Board commenced operations they had an income of over £400 per annum, and they commenced operations on an extensive scale on the Lake reserve. When these improvements wero in an advanced stage, the tenants of domain land petitioned the Governor and got their rents reduced by onehalf, which left them in the predicament of either letting the Lake reserve go back to a state of nature and losing all they had spent upon it, or getting a bank overdraft and completing the work. They chose the latter, and he thought they had done right. Then, again, another petition was sent to the Governor, asking him to make over the Domain to the Borough Council, but on that body declining to take over the liabilities, the Governor ordered them to liquidate the bank overdraft as soon as possible. Since that time not a penny has been spent, but what was absolutely necessary to keep the grounds in order, and they had, at great risk, even allowed the fern to gr..w for four years without being cut. That would show them that it was impossible at present, for them to spend the Cambridge West money, at that place, or to pay back the £250. The members were anxious to do so, but could not go in direct opposition to the directions of the Governor, who created them, and could just as easily dislodge them if they disobeyed his commands. Mr Jnrratt asked if the Boaid would be willing to spend a little money on the C.nnbridge West cemetory.—The chairman thought they might squeeze a little for that purposo, but they must liquidate the overdraft. After that was done it would be plain sailing, and tliey should only be pleased to commence operations at Cambridge West. A very lengthy discusuon followed in which the members in that they wonld not oppose Cambridge West having a Board their own. Mr Fisher also delivered a

lengthy speech in which he said the members intended to spend every farthing that was mving in Cambridge Went. The deputation then thanked the Board and withdrew.