NEW ROAD FROM ROSLYN, &c.

Evening Star, Issue 4111, 1 May 1876, Page 3

NEW ROAD FROM ROSLYN, &c.

This morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs H. Driver, H. Tewsley, C. It. Chapman, J. M'Kenzie, and T. W. Kempthorne, waited upon the superintendent in reference to the above.

Mr Tewsley explained that it was intended to form a new road into town from Koslyn, &c., by way of the Old Shepherds’ Arms. The present road was a tortuous one, and the new road was intended to be brought across the Belt, past the old soldiers’ barracks, between the Limatic Asylum’s new grounds and Mr Barker’s property, on to Albert street. The principal object of the deputation in waiting on his Honor was to see if there was any possibility of prison labor being available after the Maitland street work was done. There was a generally expressed opinion that the work was a desirable one. The inhabitants of the district were quite willing to put their hands into their pockets to a certain extent. His Honor suspected the work would require legislation, Mr Tewsley replied that the people would give their lands for nothing. Mr Driver : There is only the Town Belt; and the Corporation will allow a road to bo made through it, under their supervision.

Mr Mackenzie pointed out that by making the road the High School Rectory, which was in an almost unapproachable position just now, would be immensely enhanced in value. The making of the road would add fully L 3,000 to the value of the Government property. His Honor was not going to say that the work would not be of great advantage, but he fancied that the prison labor was pretty well engaged for the next year or two at Maitland street. There was a lot of work to be done until their removal to Taranaki.

Mr Tewsley said they could only expect the prison labor, except subject to such contingencies as might arise. They would be satisfied with his Honor’s promise of the labor if it could be made available.

His Honor would not like to say much about the prison labor at the present moment without knowing what its engagements were. One gang was making a road down to Portobello, which would occupy them for the next six months. He quite admitted that it was a legitimate work in which to employ prison labor. It was further pointed out .to his Honor that the gradient would be the easiest of any road leading into town, that it would be an eighth of a-mile shorter, and that an engineer had roughly estimated it would cost L 1,200 if done by contract. His Honor : So far as I am concerned, I should be disposed to recommend the use of the prisoners’ labor on it when they are done with their present engagements, and I will enquire into the position of those engagements. The deputation then withdrew.