MEETING ON THE WIDENING OF HIGH STREET, BLENHEIM.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 31, 4 August 1860, Page 2

MEETING ON THE WIDENING OF HIGH STREET, BLENHEIM.

On Friday evening last a meeting of parties holding land in High-street, was held at the Library. Mr. Collie was unanimously voted to the chair. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said that the late floods bad shown the Provincial Surveyor and Engineer that the road leading from High-street up the plain was a far drier and more available road than the trunk line on the north side of the Otnaka, which had been all but impassable

during the floods. And it was understood that without any rivalry frith the main trunk line, the Provincial Government intended to make a speedy purchase of the right of way outside the town in continuation of High-street. This was therefore considered an opportune time for widening High-street, which, in the opinion of both residents, and strangers who had seen it, was miserably narrow. That it was a great pity the street had not been widened twelve months ago, when not a single house was built up to the line, whereas now there were four. But as the saying was “ better late than never,” and because an evil existed, that was the very reason why an attempt should be made to remove it; accordingly that meeting had very properly, he considered, been convened for initiating measures towards having the road line shifted back at once, to prevent any more buildings contracting the street. His Honour the Superintendent had expressed his willingness to give his best attention to any proposal emanating from them on the subject. As there could be little doubt but that a main road from the plain must pass down High-street, it was essential not only for the convenience of foot passengers and town traffic, but for the passage of bullock drays from the country, which require a good deal of road. The wider a street was the. more conducive to the health of its residents, and less liable to the spread of fires, the occurrence of which would have to be very much dreaded here during one of the high winds so prevalent. It was proposed that six feet should be added to each side of the road, from the adjoining sections. Were the necessary land given by the section holders for nothing, they would be gainers by the enhancement in value of their property that would accrue from the improvement. But as the alteration would benefit the general country traffic, and the sections along the street were now of considerable value, it was but fair that the Government should afford some remuneration for the portions of land that would have to be alienated. The Chairman then read over valuations that had been put upon each piece of land required according to their position, &c. This, with a few alterations, was approved of by all present. Mr. J. T. Robinson proposed, “ That the chairman communicate with absent parties, to acquaint them ivith the result of the meeting, and request their co-operation, prior to submitting a proposal formally to the Superintendent. Mr. Dempsey seconded the motion, and trusted that there would not be a solitary endeavour on the part of the inhabitants of Blenheim to make their town still more worthy of being the largest and the most availabe one in the province of Marlborough. Mr. Read, in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, said he was glad to find him bringing forward and exerting himself in behalf of a measure which, if carried out, must contribute much both to the convenience of general trafib and to the appearance of the street, which, with large and hand-

some houses, like Mr. Smith’s, was beginning to present an imposing aspect. The resolutions having been passed unanimously, the meeting separated.