WIDENING OF PRINCES STREET.

Evening Star, Issue 3379, 18 December 1873, Page 2

WIDENING OF PRINCES STREET.

This subject cropped up twice at yesterday’s City Council meeting. 1 irst, the Factor to the Church trustees wrote in reply to the Council’s application for assistance, that they were precluded from complying with it, as their solid tors advised they had no power to render assistance. Mr Smith added— 1 In connection with this matter, I may mention that I have received a letter from the Government, intimating that the widening of Princes street now rests entirely with the City Council, and I am requested by the trustees to again urge upon the Corporation the necessity of at once arriving at some decision, and thus putting an end to the existin'' uncertainty.”--With a view to the Council being bettor able to judge whether the work should be proceeded with at once, Cr. Prosser moved —“That the Mayor be instructed to appoint a proper valuator for the .Manse reserve;” but Crs. Walter and Barnes opposed it as an unbusiness like proceeding. On being put to the vote, the Council was equally divided—three for and three against—and the Mayor gave his casting vote for the amendment, —Later on, Cr. Beck moved—- “ That all proceedings in connection with the widening of Princes street should be at once abandoned.” The idea ought to be abandoned altogether, as several ratepayers hail informed him that they did not wish to have this street widened. If the Council took a plebiscite on the subject, they would find three to two vote against the proposition. The Government had refused to grant assistance. —(Cr. Prosser : “No; the Church Trustees have refused.") There were other works of far greater importance which required to be accomplished ; but if the Council decided to widen the street, let it be settled at once. The motion lapsed, not being seconded.