WESTPORT LAND PURCHASE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 143, 17 June 1872, Page 2

WESTPORT LAND PURCHASE.

The following are the documents relating to this case which we promised to publish in this day's issue : — E. J. O'Conor, Esq., M.P.C., Nelson. Sib, —l am this day in receipt of your letter of yesterday asking me to repeat certain statements made to me by the Hon. E. W. Stafford and John Symons, Esq., relative to certain conversations held between you and these gentlemen about certain sections of land at Westport lately purchased by you, and which have been the subject of an enquiry by a Committee of the Provincial Council of this Province. I enclose a copy of those statements, as far as I can remember them, and as you have informed me that it is your intention to publish them, I may say that you have the consent of Mr. Stafford, Mr. Symons, and myself to do so. Yours truly, Wm. Statbet.

Mb. Stabstobd's Statement. On or about the 3flth May last I met Mr. O'Conor, by appointment, at the Land Office, Nelson, for the purpose of having a conversation viith him about some sections of land belonging to me at Weßtport. Mr. O'Conor produced a map <?f the town and pointed out to me the place to ■which the Government Buildings were to be removed (at the corner of Wakefield and

Palmerston-street) and he also explained to me that the road a'ong Pxlmerston-strcet was to be made immediately as far as ('onb'amiue-streec, and FonblHnque-'-treet continued down to the river, where wharves wpre to be erected. Mr. O'Conor also produced a report by Mr Dobson. with a small sketch map attached which I read ; and he explained to me that the site recommended by Mr. Dobson was the only one available, and that his suggestions would be carried out to a certainty, and approved of bv the Provincial Counciland Executive. Mr. O'Conor pointed out to me two sections that he had leased from the Native Commissioner, also sections between Mills and Fonblarique street, which he then informed me he had resolved to purchase, the value of which, owing to their central position under Mr Dob on's plans, he pointed out. and at the same time recommended me to purchase certain s-ections in the vicinity. On the 1 th inst. Mr. O'Conor produced the fol owi g document marked A whicn he stated was an extract from Mr. Kynnwsley's iiraft report. ( >n hearing this extract res<d, I remarked that the se"tions he huO purchased would be rendered almost valueless. Slated in my presence Wm. Stavert.

Mr. Stjions' Statement.

Mr. O'Conor called upon me previous to the 4th instant, relaiive to certain, sections of land in Pal me-.'st on- street, Westport, belonging to m< j , which he oflt-red to purchase. On tl.e afternoon of the 4th Mr. O'C< nor again ca'led upon me, when he said he had purchased several seciiuns cf land ne«r mine in the siime street, he point' d them out to me on a Plan of the Town of VVestport On that occasion Mr. O't 'onor informed me that they would be valuable, and ■ suggested that as neighboring holders we should join in n^aking footpaths. Mr. O'Conor also spoke of the re moval of the Govern me< t Buildings, and wharves to Fonblanque-street. From our conversation I concluded that my sections, were like y to be enhanced in value. As Mr. O'Onnr was leaving, a telegraph message was liandc-d to him t>y a messenger on horseback. On the 13th instan 1 Mr. O'Conor rea<l to me the following document marked A. which he said was an extract from Mr. Kynnersley's report, upon reading which I remarked that if adopted, it would have the effect of deteriorating the value of my property, ami make Mr. ( )'Conor's purchase a very bad bargain. Stated in my presence. Wm. Stavert. A. 5. That in order that every facility may be offered to holders of business licenses lo remove to the upper nart of the town, and that wiih a view to facilitating the shipping business by placing the stores a6 near as may be. holders of business licenses, should re allowed to occupy both sides of the continuation of Fotiblanquestreet through the reserve, and also the river side of Palmerston street. 6. That seeing that the reserves for General Government purposes amounting in the whole to twenty-three acres one rood in the middle ot the town are very unnecessarily large, and must, if unoccupied, cause a long and inconvenient gap between one end of the town and the other, his Honor the Superintendent be requested to cum municate with the General Government with a view to at least ten acres of the reserve for Government Buildings fronting Palmerston street beiner placed at the disposal of the Waste Lands Board of the Province. 7. Separate sites for gaol away from business portions. 8- Superintendent be requested to place sufficient sum on Estimates.