DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2682, 21 September 1871, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

To-day, at noon, a deputation from the City Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, Messrs Mercer and Livingston, and the Town Cleric, waited upon his Honor the Deputy Superintendent. The Mavou said the object of the deputation was to confer with his Honor respecting certain works that the Government promised to execute long since for the Corporation by prison labor—namely, filling up Moray place, Cumberland street, and Castle street, and the reduction of a valuable section on Bell Hill. With regard to Moray place, he be* lieved the work was partially if not wholly done, but As to Cumberland street and Castle street, the Government had neglected to fulfil the promises given. Some cutting, had been done in Gaol street, but it had never been completed. In order to give opportunity to the Government to remove the earth, the Corporation had to compensate some tenants for giving up their tenements, and the buildings had been removed. The work in Cumberland and Castle streets was filling up. They would probably requite the labor of a good gang of men three or four months. The Corporation did not ask that this work might be done by way of favor, but in consideration of promises made by the Government. There were other works that required immediate attention, which the Corporation had not the means to carry out, and, if they could have the assistance of the prisoners, it would be considered a great favor as well as prove a great public good. The principal one was where the Water of Leith was washing sway the ground near Castle street, through the removal of stone by the prisoners for Government works. If something were not done the next Hood would almost inevitably wash the street away. He also wished to mention the metaling of Smith street. The Government got the Corporation to give them a road in order to extend the High School grounds, and promisied, as compensation, to do certain works. A portion of the work was metalling Smith street, and thesCorporatibn think the Government should do that. Mr Mercer said the agrbemeut about Cumberland and Castle streets was in writing, so that there could be no misapprehension about that. Mr Livingston said the Corporation could not go on with the drainage until those works were done, and there were now several acres of ground under water, the miasma from which must act prejudicially on the public health. His Honor said he would enquire into the arrangements as to Cumberland and Castle streets, and the reduction of Bell hill. As to the A ater of Leith he could say nothing until he knew the arrangment made for employing the prisoners. The Deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.