DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3376, 15 December 1873, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

At noon to-day a deputation from the City Council waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, to confer with him on certain matters connected with City improvements in progress and projected. The deputation comprised his Worship the Mayor, Councillors Ramsay and Prosser, and the Town Clerk—Mr Massey. EXTENSION OF CUMBERLAND STREET. His WORSHIP stated that the principal object ot the deputation was to lay before his Honor the position taken by the Church Trustees in regard to the improvements now in course of being made in Cumberland street; He mentioned to the Trustees that his Honor had expressed the willingness of the Government to give an equivalent for the land taken. His Honor said there was some misunderstanding ; as what he said was exactly opposite, and that the Government was not inclined to grant any more land, Mr Massey said he understood the Chureh Trustees thought they were to have an area included within lines marked A B and C on a plan produced, but that the Government refused to give the land. It was stated afterwards that the Church Tru-tecs considered themselves entitled to compensation, as the formation of the street would destroy the value of the Manse property on account of the steepness of the bank. Mr Prosser suggested the cutting the face of the bank to a proper slope might be done by prison labor. Mr Ramsay said the Church Trustees, instead of esteeming the proposed work an improvement, seemed to think it would damage their property. His Honor did not think the Trustees could do anything without the consent of the Synod, although no doubt that body would give effect to what was done. Mr Prosser asked if the Corporation would be justified in saying to the Synod that the work could be at once proceeded with, should they consent to forego compensation ? His Honor said, certainly. He could not see any injury likely to accrue to the property. The Government would agree to give the bank the proper slope. LAND FOR THE FOURTH SCHOOL. His \V orship then mentioned the grant of 33 feet towards widening Princes street, on condition of the Corporation giving laud for a fourth school, and asked if it was to be unconditional, in terms of a letter received from the Executive, or it was imperative that the street should be widened. His Honor stated that the grant was to be clearly on condition that the street should be widened ? His Worship said he believed the Council were equally divided on the matter, and that if he had to give a casting vote, it should be in favor of the work, as for many years he had been anxious it should be done. In the course of the conversation, it was said the cost would be L 13,000, and, in reply to a question, His Honor said that the Executive would not be in favor of asking a money vote by the Provincial Council in aid of the scheme, as it would not be fair to the rest of the Province, in which many works of more importance were required. It was for the interest of parties occupying property in the street to have it done, Mr Prosser thought the better plan was to have the premises valued by a competent valuer and to submit the matter to arbitration. governor’s reception. His Worship said that the Corporation had put themselves in communication with the different schoolmasters with the view of assembling the scholars to meet his Excellency, but found, in consequence of the schools haling broken up for the holidays, that they could not succeed. They would therefore construct a triumphal arch at the Water of Leith, and present an address there. Beyond which no formal arrangements would be made. His Honor said they were aware of the Governor’s wishes. It would have been a graceful sight if some thousands of children could have assembled, but his Excellency did not consider it necessary for the Corporation to go to any expense in the matter.