CLOSING STREETS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 3 August 1929, Page 5

CLOSING STREETS

(To the Editor)

Sir,—rA your or so ago Messrs Kirkpatrick in id Co. approached Mm City Council with Him object of purchasing a piece of tile unsightly hillside to the eastward ot the. factory for the purposo of erecting a recreation mom for the factory employees. The company also intimated flint it would beautify the spot with lawns and shrubs. The then Council (of which the Mayor and seve rid other Councillors were nleiuliers) refused to self the laud on the ground Mini it was a public street (Wellington street) and that it had no power to dispose ol it. The land, however, was offered In the company til it peppercorn rental during the pleasure of the Council. The company did not accept the oiler, and the unsightly hillside remains. May I •isle (lie Mayor, (hrougli you sir, why the Council has adopted a- different altitude in regard to Ngatituma street? 1 am, el. ~ BQN() p UBLTCO Nelson, 2nd August.

iTo the Editor) Sir, —I would like to protest against tile proposed closing oi Ngatituma street by the sale to the College Governors of that portion of the street from Miss Blackett’s boundary (about 150 feet on scutli side of Hampden street) and at the same time congratulate Councillor Moynagh upon the stand he took re this matter at the last Council meeting. Is it not a fact that last winter about 5 chains of sewer was laid as well as grading, on that portion to be sold and costing about £SOO of ratepayers’ money? Will this money that was only recently spent be added to the price asked for the land? As the value of certain valepayers’ property near will be directly affected bv this blind street will the Council he liable, for damages? The view of the Bay through the trees is too good to he, lost. Also, why shut out the proposed new buildings and the College Scriptorium? As the road now stands the public will be able to walk along this street and admire the College buildings on either side. I am, etc., RATEPAYER NO. 2. Nelson, Ist August.

(To the Editor) Sir,—Since writing my first letter, I have been waiting to see if any Councillor or the Engineer would contradict my statement as to the cost of the drainage and road work done on this street last year. But since they have not, 1 have made an approximate estimate from actual measurements taken to-day. The total length of drain starting from Miss Blackett’s southern boundary is 0 chains, or 528 feet of Gin drain at Gs per foot £2ll 9s; 3 manholes at £l2 eacli, £36; 3 manhole covers at £lO each, £3O; total, £277 4s. The above estimate is a very moderate one, and 1 am ciuito certain the metalling would run the price up to £4OO. Another point I wish to make clear is that this new drain was actually laid one and'nlialf chains further than the house recently occupied by\ Mr Powrie, and it was a question that was asked by a number of people, why the drain should be laid to a point further than was necessary, when oilier isolated houses in the city could not get a drain or a load of gravel for a footpath. Now, Sir, I think this would have been a fair ratepayers’ gift to the College without the road. The total length of street proposed to he handed over is 13 chains long by 50 feet wide, and the sum suggested by some councillors as full payment is £IOO. Now if this sum is worked out by one of the College boys, lie will find it is a little under one acre. llow much per yard? Now some ground not far removed lias been paid for at £425 per quarter acre. llow does that compare with the £100? Why should tht- road he alienated for all time? The College has still a lot of spare ground only growing rubbish, and yet tin? people s road is hankered after, —I am, etc., A CLOSE RESIDENT. Nelson, Ist August.