DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2082, 7 January 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

A deputation of the direct ora of the Forhury Park Company, consisting of Captain Fraser, Messrs W. 11. Reynolds, J. M. Larnach, John Douglass, C. Moore, W. Mitchell, and IS. James (Secretary), had an interview with the Superintendent this forenoon. Mr Douglass explained the objects of the deputation. He said that a short time ago Mr Larnach and himself waited on his Honor and requested the Government to make the road to the Ocean Peach, by Hillside ; and on that occasion his Honor said the Government would be prepared to make the road, if it could be made to its full extent of a chain wide. It now appeared that the owners of land would not willingly give up their lands. The deputation desired to point out that the present time afforded an opportunity of getting the land at the cheapest rate. It could either be taken at the owners’ valuation, or the Government could take under the Hoad Ordinance. One or two owners were absentees, and he thought they were willing to givo up their land. The dilßculty was not with the large owners of land, but with the ovyners of small sections. His Honor enquired what amount of money would be involved in the purchase of the land. Mr Douglass did not think that the amount would be very great. The land was liable to be Hooded, and until outfalls were made for the water so as to prevent Hoods, it would not be of much value. Mr Larnacji observed that one of the principal objects the deputation had in waiting on his Honor was this : —The company had gone to considerable expense in forming a course, and then- efforts would be rendered almost nugatory if the sandhills were left open to the public so far as the company was concerned. The company wished to secure a lease of the sandhills for a time, say 21 years, and they would make them into pleasure grounds by laying down grass and planting trees. His Honor said that one of the objects he had in view in having the road to the Ocean Beach formed was to sell building sites on this side of the sand hills. At present the Government had no power to lease beyond three years, but the sand hills could be purchased. After some discussion his Honor recommended that the company should put in an application to purchase the sand hills which was agreed to he done. Mr Douglass again referred to the subject of the formation of the road. The land required to he taken would not exceed four acres, and it would not cost at the most L 25 per acre. His Honor said that in the interests of the people of Dunedin the road should be made, and the Government were bound to take that view of it. He would undertake to have an Ordinance introduced into the Provincial Council enabling the road to he forced through. Mr Douglass suggested that roads could be formed by the Maori prisoners. Referring to the necessity of providing an outlet for the storm waters, ho said he was under the impression that a sum of money had been voted by the Provincial Council for the construction of culverts across the Anderson’s Bay voad. Mr Reynolds said that two years ago a sum of money had been voted, hut the vote lapsed. Mr Douglass observed that there could he no question as to the necessity for constructing proper outfalls. His Honor said that some time ago there was an agitation about the matter, but it appeared to have died out. Mr Douglass said that the company was about to spend between L4OOO and LSOOO, and their works could not he perfected until proper outfalls could he constructed. His Honor said that the question of widening the Anderson’s Bay road was now under the consideration of the Government, and possibly this subject of constructing the necessary outfalls would be brought up in connection with it. Mr Douglass thought the cost would bp about LI 50. His Honor did not see why the .Govern- 1 ment should improve private property. The attempt to get this done had already been made by several parties interested, and he

thought it was scarcely fair that the Province should be called upon to improve land, purchased at 10s per acre. Mr Larnack pointed out that the drainage contemplated by the company would improve the cricket ground and the neighboring property. Mr Douglass thought if the Government did not go to the expense, the work would never be done. The company would pay a fair share of the cost, and he had no doubt the owners of land would contribute their moiety. After some further conversation, His Honor said he saw no objection to selling the sand hills, or to the road being formed half a chain wide at present, but he was very doubtful if the Government would go to the expense of constructing outfalls for the storm water, as he thought it was a matter that should be attended to by the proprietors of the land. The deputation then withdrew.