REPRESENTATION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 11

REPRESENTATION

DOMAIN BOARD POLICY BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S OPINIONS PROTECTING RATEPAYERS The representation of local authorities on the Hamilton Domain Board came in for further consideration last evening when the matter was discussed at a special meeting of the general purposes committee of the Hamilton Borough Council. The speakers expressed the opinion that the council’s representation on the board was not adequate at present, and a motion put forward by the Mayor (Mr H. D. Caro), that the council regretted its inability to approve the expenditure of any funds chargeable to the ratepayers on domain lands under the present conditions, was carried unanimously. “The Domain Board has set out the facts of the matter but it has not given ug what we asked for,” said the Mayor, after correspondence from the board had been read. “Hamilton is in urgent need of the playing areas detailed by the board and more. We should have a further report on what further lands are available for future playing areas and the approximate cost of maintaining the same. The amount for the work included in the Domain Board report is £10,250, of which the board proposes to find £IOOO. They are going to ask the Government to supply £3500 by way of a subsidy, leaving a balance of £5750 to be found as follows: Hamilton Borough Council, £3833 6s 8d; Waikato County Council and Waipa County Council, £958 6s 8d each. Additional Facilities Needed •'The thing that I am most conf eemed about Is the possibility of the Government not being prepared to find the money suggested for them by the board,” continued Mr Caro. “In such an event, is the scheme to be held up, and if not, where is the money to come from? I agree fully with the report that Hamilton must have more playing facilities. The present Government has instituted a physical fitnefs campaign for the benefit of the nation, and I feel it is our duty to foster this worthy object in every way possible. “As I see it, the Hamilton Borough Council is being asked to find a large sum of money. If we could be sure of the amount required for the present and the future, our task would be easier, but, as Mr Reynolds remarked at the last meeting of the council, a stand at Galloway Park to cost £IOOO would be totally inadequate for the crowd that would be present at a major fixture. The council should have proportionate representation if it is to spend the ratepayers’ money for domain lands. “If the Domain Board has for its object the improvement of the playing areas of Hamilton, it should not hesitate at the suggestion of three borough council members, exclusive of the Mayor, one from each of the counties and five from the present board. The board has certainly done good work for Hamilton, but surely they can now see that Hamilton is demanding more than they can afford to give, and that the council is asking only for representation, so that it can have some say in the administration and spending of the ratepayers' money. The Mayor’s Motion “It Is strange that the Domain Board did not bring down a report on the need for additional playing areas years ago instead of waiting for the Borough Council to move in the matter.” The Mayor then moved the following motion, which was seconded by Mr W. Cann: ‘That this council whole--1 heartedly supports the prihciple of the provision of adequate and modern sports grounds for Hamilton and regards the work as urgent. Further, and notwithstanding this, that the Minister and the board be informed that this council regrets its inability to approve any expenditure of funds cha-geable to the ratepayers of Hamilton on domain lands under the present circumstances, but the council will be pleased to co-operate if an arrangement is made to reconstitute the board on the basis previously suggested by the Mayor, viz., four Borough Council representatives, two county representatives and five others. Under such a constitution the council can assure the people it represents that all their interests can be properly safeguarded and the expenditure adequately and economically controlled.” The opinion that he would rather see the matter reopened with the board in an effort to secure representation was expressed by Mr J. R. Fow, who thought that the loss of Hayes’ Paddock had precipitated the matter - of the town’s playing areas and had brought it into prominence. “A Definite Stand" “We have to take a definite stand in this matter,” said Mr H. M. Hammond. ‘The Domain Board wants two-thirds representation, and wants to allow the council only two members. A change of policy Is to be made under which heavy capital expenditure will have to be met, and it would be desirable if an amicable arrangement for the reconstitution of the board could be arrived at. I fppl that this will not be the end of the expenditure. The ratepayers’ money should not be expended without tfce council having adequate representation. For the council to take over the activities of the board would be merely beating the air, for we would have to set up a committee outside the council and we would be back where we started. I do not think such a proposal would meet with the approval of the Minister, and I do not think the present difficulty will he overcome by reopening the matter with the Domain Board.’’ Support for Mr Fow's contention that the matter should be reopened was forthcoming from Mr R. McGaw, who stated that if the board were to be composed partly of council members it would he better if they started work harmoniously. The speaker would like to see another effort made to overcome the difficulty. Domain Board Net Helpful Expressing support for the motion, Mr C. Croall stated that if the council had to find the major share of the money it was entitled to adequate representation. The opinion that the board had not been v»»rv •t’" l ’’ l” ter when It had cut the council’s proposed represema ..... was expressed by Mr T. G. Reynolds,