TE ARO FORESHORE, &c.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5372, 15 June 1878, Page 3

TE ARO FORESHORE, &c.

DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNMENT,

Pursuant to a reply received from the Colonial Secretary, a deputation consisting of his Worship the Mayor, the City Solicitor, the City Surveyor, and the Town Clerk waited on tho Hon. Colonel Whitmore and the Hon. Mr. Macandrew at XI a.m. yesterday, with refereuua to various matters connected with foreshore rights, the proposed reclamation, and city boundaries. There were also present tho Solicitor-General and Mr. G. S. Cooper, undersecretary. The Mayor intimated that tho City Solicitor had been appointed to speak bn behalf of the deputation. Mr. Travers accordingly explained that the Corporation desired that not merely all the hind already reclaimed from the harbor, but also that intended to be reclaimed, should bo included within the city boundaries. At present there appeared to be no power iu law for the Government to include, by proclamation, any land 1 not already reclaimed. Tho clause in tho Act expressly gave power only to proclaim lands already actually reclaimed. He therefore had recommended the City Council, instead of asking the Government to deal directly with tho matter, to introduce an Act into the General Assembly containing the necessary provisions to include not only all the laud already reclaimed, but also all the laud contained within tho Crown grants, subject of course to all rights of way enjoyed by the public and other rights involved. Tho Corporation, therefore, would introduce a Bill iu tho ensuing session, and desired to enlist the concurrence of tho Government in the measure.—The Colonial Secretary intimated that the Bill would not he opposed by the Government. — Mr. Travers said the next question was as to the strip not yet granted in front of Custom-house-quay,: on which was erected Plimmer’s wharf. The owners of that wharf alleged that it was erected under some sort of permission given by Sir George Grey when Governor. This was disputed by the Council, but at any rate such a license would bo worth little except to prevent their being treated as trespassers, leaving them to be regarded as more squatters, without any right to remain iu possession, Noiv, however, the strip of land had been granted to tho Superintendent, and the site of this wharf was included iu that grant. Tho Corporation did not at present enter into the question as to the wharf itself as originally built, but the possessors had encroached both in length and breadth beyond the original wharf, and now were erecting a building thereon and driving piles into tho soil. Tho Corporation therefore desired that the Government should take immediate steps to prevent these works, for which there was no authority whatever, being carried on.—The Colonial-Secretary inquired how the Crown could take such action, to which Mi-. Travers replied that as owner of tho property they could do so.—The Solicitor-General said he presumed that what the Corporation desired was for the Government to take legal steps to restrain those who were in possession of the wharf in question from, building.—Mr. Travers replied in the affirmative, and also reminded Ministers that the question of building was entirely independent of the question as to tho title to the wharf itself.—The Colonial Secretary said he understood that it was desired the Government should take steps to restrain tho possessors of the wharf from building beyond the extent of the original wharf, the site being the property of the Crown, without, however, raising at present the question as to the title of the wharf itself. He would consult his colleagues on that point, which should have their immediate attention, aud he would send an answer to the Mayor within 24 hours. It was a legal point, and would require careful consideration.—The Mayor inquired if tho Government could not put a stop to tho erection of any building on tho wharf itself. Other persons had not claimed such right, and why should Mr. Plimmcr ? Tho Colonial Secretary said that was quite a different question, and a very wide one, which he was not prepared to discuss off-hand, lie must postpone that to another occasion, and hear the evidence on both sides, Tho rights would not suffer between tho present time and the session by a little delay. It would bo hotter to proceed in the matter by a private Bill, and then the whole question would be gone into and determined. This could he included iu tho other Bill which the Corporation intended to bring in.— Mr. Travers wished to know whether the Government could not treat the Bill as a public one I —The Colonial Secretary said the Government would not he disposed to do so, because that might be looked uponasahigh-handedinva-sion of private rights.—Mr. Travers observed that this could be provided for by reserving all rights to he settled under the provisions of tho Public Works Act.—The Colonial Secretary said he would consult the members of the Cabinet on that point, as also with respect to the question of t : tle to Plimmer’s wharf.— Mr. Travers said there were two other points he wished to bring under notice.—lst. The Act excluded Government buildings aud property from tho municipality ; hcnco such buildings ? conld not benefit by a drainage scheme or similar works, or bounder municipal control. As they were expressly exempted from taxation, there was no advantage iu thus excluding them from the municipality. 2nd. The Te Aro foreshore grant conveyed all the land within tho specified boundaries, but excepted as a reserve for railway purposes a portion of the land so conveyed. This practically precluded its being reclaimed with the rest.—The Colonial Secretary said lie would advise that both these points should he included in the proposed Bill.—After thanking Ministers for the courtesy and attention that had been paid ’ to them, the deputation withdrew.