DEPUTATION TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 164, 28 March 1866, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

A deputation from the Ilolcitika Improvement Committee, consisting of Messrs Palmer, Clerk, Eicke, Munro, Cassius, Reeves, and Anderson, Waited upon the Superintendent, acprdtng to appointment, at the Commissioner's Office, Sewell Street. Mr Moorhouse M.H.R. introduced the deputation to His Honor, who received tliem most courteously. lie was attended by Mr Jollic, Provincial Secretary, Mr Stewart, Secretary for Public Works, and Air Sale, Commissioner. Mr Palmer, who had been deputed to act as speaker, said that there were many subjects relating to the welfare of Westland that the Improvement , Committee had considered advisable should be laid before llisttonor, whoscvisittothis portion of theProviiicchatlgivcnthcmtheopportuiiity of so doing. There was one subject which not only the Improvement Committee, but the Hokitika residents generally, considered as one of paramount importance as it related to the safety of the harbor and preservation of a large amount of property at present in imminent jeopardy. He alluded to wharf-extension- and the state of the river bank' West of Rcvell Street. The attention of the Government had been directed to this as far back as last July, when there was a broad roadway between the houses and river, and had precautions then been taken a large amount of property since destroyed would have been saved, and the North Spit preserved. The speaker assured His Honor that if the spit wero washed away the harbor would no longer be safe for shipping. He believed that something might yet be done to preserve it by running out rough dams formed of trees and brushwood, backed by piles diagonally from the bank at certain distances from each other. These would break the force of the stream, and keep the main body of water more in the channel. His Honor asked whether the advice of any engineer had been taken on the subject. Mr Palmer said no; but there were many who thought the above plan a good one, and that it was imperative something should be done to preserve the lower end of Wharf and Revell-streets, and those buildings immediately at the back of the latter, His Honor answered that he believed that before a great portion of the ground alluded to was built upon, warning had been given by the Government not to do so. Mr Palmer assured his Honor that long before that warning was given the town had been laid out, and Mr Rcvell had absolutely pegged off allotments on the ground now in danger. It was, however, chiefly for the safety of the harbor that they urged either the construction of dams or the extension of the wharf. His Honor replied that he believed it was not the intention of the Government to protect that portion of the bank below Wharf-street, as the houses were built against its advice. Mr Palmer again affirmed that the allotments in Revell- street were pegged out, one hundred and twenty feet deep, by Mr Revell. He admitted that Beachstreet and tho houses below it might have been erected contrary to advice, but thought rlcvell-street at least should be preserved, and as much below it as possible, without goiug to too great an expense. His Honor said he should direct the attention of the Engineer of Works to that portion of the town, and be guided in a great degree by his report. Mr Palmer next called attention to the state of Gibson's Quay, and the necessity of somo sort of a roadway along it. The Government need not go to a heavy outlay as he considered a dray road 25 feet wide sufficient for the present, so that carts might in wot weather be enabled to reach Wharf-street without bogging to tho axles. He assured the Superintendent that ho saw Gibson's Quay under most

favorable circumstances, as the weather lately had been remarkably fine. In wet weather it was next to impassable.

His Honor said that he readily believed it, and had a great desire to improve the quay, which he considered a most noble one. He should much like to see it intersected by a good ,'road^ and also that the mooring placed forsh'ippin^ahouldbc assafe and 'convenient as possible. But' he assured the deputation that the Government were already deeply in debt, and did not feel at all justified in incurring any further expenses until the state of the revenue warranted them in so doing, Westland was an expensive part of the Province, and already had received more than its fshare although he believed that the general opinion on this side was that Eastland had behaved with great injustice It was, however^ not thte case.. ■ Mr Palmer hoped his Honor would think favorably of their request respecting a road along the quay. His Honor said he should do all he could, and would give the matter his most serious consideration. The Government had already relaxed, and done more than the state of its finances warranted. lie feared the work of clearing the stumps away would be excessive. Mr Sale assured him that the stumps were already cleared, which caused his Honor to relax slightly, as he said, "Very well, it shall be seen to." Mr Palmer introduced the subject of Town Lands, and enqnired why allotments on the' east side of FrtzheVbert street were to be sold at the upset price of £4 per "acre, whilst tbat portion of the town on the west side was withdrawn altogether. His Honor said it was withdrawn at the instigation of Mr Ilawkes, who was supported in his], motion by the Westland members. If, however, its withdrawal created dissatisfaction, it could still be sold by auction. - But he considered this would be disadvantageous to present occupiers, a 9 their sections might be run up to a ruinous figure by capitalists or personal enemies. A special Act would be passed in the next General Assembly, which would ensure them their sections at the respective rates of £l and &1 10s per foot frontage, according to the depth ; and this would render valuation unnecessary^ and ought to satisfy them. Mr Palmer said it should certainly satisfy the Government, who would thus receive at the rate of £800 per acre. He should, however, like to know when the Act alluded to would be passed. Ilis Honor replied, that would entirely depend upon the time when the Assembly met. Mr Palmer asked whether it would be necessary for those who desired to >hold their sections under the new Act, to send in applications to the Government. His Honor said u N'oV' Mr Sale remarked that as the law once stood any section could be forced into the nlarket by an enemy of the party who held it, although valuation might to a certain extent protect him ; the Government having taken this into consideration, and, moreover, being actuated by a desire that present occupiers should get their land at aa reasonable a rate as possible, had withdrawn it for the present until the special act was passed. Mr Palmer wished to be informed whether it' was necessary, as the land sales were 'so close at hand, for those whose business licenses had expired to renew them for the full twelvemonth. His Houor said the law compelled them to do so, and there was no escape from it. lie, however, laughingly asserted it was not premeditated to suit the occasion. Mr Palmer expressed himself satisfied, and said the next subject he should revert to was rather a ticklish one, as it related to tho Bank; ' of New Zealand, to which a valuable section had been granted in the Camp Reserve, iicycll-strect. This had caused great dissatisfaction, and it had therefore been determined to bring the subject before his Honor, who doubtless would be able to explain it. His Honor said that the facts of the case would soon transpire, and then it would be found that the Government had not acted unfairly. He was, however, prevented by Executive reasons from giving a full explanation at present. Mr Palmer suggested that the rest of the reserve should be placed at the disposal of those residents at the lower end of Kcvell-strcct, whose sections were rendered untenable by the encroachment of the river. His Honor said he understood that applications had been made for a portion of it for municipal purposes, on the plea that the site was a central one, although, for his part, he could not see it, and thought it quite on one side of the town. It was, (however, the centre of business, and therefore the more valuable, and would fetoh a high price at the ensuing land sales, and for this reason he was opposed to its alienation for any special purpose. Another reserve would be provided for municipal buildings, other than that containing commanding business sites. Mr Palmer begged to call His Honor's attention to the fact that as many parts of the town were inaccessible it was possible a reserve might be granted that would be useless. His Honor had no doubt that a suitable reservo would be granted. Mr Palmer asked whether" the town ■ would be declared a municipality when the land was sold. Ilis Honor answered no ; a general Municipal Act had never been passed in the Province of .Canterbury. There were only four municipalities in the province, and for these special Acts had been passed. Mr Palmer expressed surprise that such should be the case, as he certainly had been informed to the contrary. He much regretted it as it was important municipalities should be established in Westland as soon as possible. His Honor said that upon consideration he thought it possible certain privileges might exist on this point, and if there were Westland should receive the full benefit of them. It was, however, advisablo that a general Act should be passed. Mr Palmer said that the next subject for Ilis Honor's consideration was thtf new Police Reserve upon which many buildings Had. been erected, that were thrcatenedjwith removal by tho authorities. This would be a manifest injustice to those who had expended capital upon them, and who when they did so wero not awaro the land was reserved. He trusted compensation would be granted. Mr Sale said there was only one house that could demand compensation, all the others being built in defiance of notice. Mr Palmer understood differently. Mr Sale said that the assertion ho had just made was correct, and that Mr Prosser could uphold him in it.

Mr Palmer urged the claims of those who had built, but was overruled as they had acted unadvisedly. ; Mr Palmer's suggestion that a right •of way should be cut between the Empire and Club Hotels, resulted in a long discussion as to the proper place for it and what compensation should be granted to those whose buildings would have to be removed for the purpose, His Honor admitted that a passage was necessary in the event of fire, and thought that another section of equal value should be given to the party dispossessed. Mr Palmer also alluded to several streets, which, in the plan of the town, branched off from Revell Btfeetj the entrances to which, ds the town then stood, were built upon ; and as it was not the fault of the owners of these building, but rather ..occasioned by the after- siirvey, some compensation should , be, awarded! Mr Moorliouse considered thai a Commission of Irfquiry should be appointed to examine into all such cases, and report upon them within the next three months. How the rural lands of Westland should be disposed of — whether by leasing or absolute sale — was discussed, the deputation being in favor of leasing, whilst his Honor took an opposite view. Mr Palmer considered the question should be decided quickly, as he believed many were anxious to settle) but dfeprecateu. absolute sale as likely to interfere with the rights of the miner. , His Honor Said that the'Gold-JFieldsltules provided for leasing to a certain extent, but that so far no advantage had been taken of the provision ; that the Government had resolved to sell certain portions of the land which were not considered to be particularly auriferous. He was strongly in favor of selling, as such a course would be likely to tie a population to the soil, He had lately heard that the Otago Government exceedingly regretted having adopted the leasing system instead. In his opinion, the sale of lands, even if they were auriferous, would not interfere with the diggers, who would buy largely themselves, and would work a gold-field to better advantage if the land were their own. Under the present system, the ground was turned over anyho^ aud much gold wasted. Mr Mporhduoe admitted iliat it was important to settle the population, but thought if land were sold diggers would be constantly squabbling and that an expensive police force to keep order would be necessary, or that the diggers would be driven from the country altogether. Altogether he thought it would be a dangerous experiment to sell the land. In his opinion tracks should be cut, so that the diggers might be enabled to get at the country and prospect it', and then,, should it be found not payable, it would be time enough to sell the land. Mr Palmer agreed with the last speaker, and thought it would be unjust in the extreme to allow one man to benefit at the expense of one thousand others, which would certainly be the case were the auriferous lands of the Province sold. Ilis Honor said the matter should receive due consideration, and care taken that the rights of the miners were not trenched upon. Mr Palmer risked the intention of the Government respecting town improvements, his Honor replying that the Government, having gone to the length of their tether, were compelled to stop all works through want of funds. The time, however, might come when, by the sale of rural lands and the leasing Gibson's Quay, the works could be recomtnence'l. His Honor quite coincided with the opinion of the deputation, that Hokitika should be declared an Educational District} and tbat a schoolrjiouse should be erected on a convenient site specially reserved for the purpose. The necessity of Mining Boards was considered, when it was agreed that the matter had better be left in the hands of the members who would represent Westland in the ensuing Council, and the question discussed on the floor of the House. His Honor, however, thought that a Commission of Enquiry to visit the different diggings, and make necessary reforms, would be preferable to a Mining Board. The erection of open goods sheds on Gibson's Quay received the support of His Honor, who said tho Government would consider the matter and take action as soon as possible. The importance of good roads to Kanieri, the Totara and Greymouth, was represented by Mr Palmer to His Honor who quite concurred with him, but he said he believed the immediate construction of a road to the former field was unadvisable as a tramway would in all probability be laid down. by private enterprise. As to the plan of connecting the two lakes between Hokitika and the Totara by a tramway across the narrow neck of land which separated them, he thought well of it and was sure the Government would look with a favorable eye upon such an enterprise and grant the promoters of it special privileges. Cf.re, however, would be taken that an undue monopoly was not granted.' Respecting ferries, bridges, punts, and a road to the Grey, he assured the deputation that a punt would soon be in work on the Teremakau and that a bride was in the course of construction across the Saltwater Creek. Also that an application had already been received for permission to establish a ferry on the Arahura river. Thus the formation of a road between Hokitika and Grey Town had already commenced. This concluded the business of the deputation, who, after thanking His Honor for tho courtesy he had displayed, withdrew. IIOKITIKA AND CIREYMOIJTH TItAMWW. The project of connecting the two chief towns of Westland by a tramway has not only been seriously entertained but the first steps taken towards the commencement of the undertaking, for yesterday a deputation from its promoters, consisting of Messrs Gibson, Campbell, and Captain Agncn waited on the Superintendent with the view of obtaining a grant of land and certain privileges in the way of protection, and his Honor courteously received them, when Mr Campbell explained to him the advantages that would accrue to both communities and the intervening country, if a line of rails was laid down. Mr Gibson and Captain Agncr described the method proposed to be adopted in the construction of the tramway, and the manner in which it would be worked. His Honor expressed much gratification that such works were being undertaken by private enterprise, and said the Government would give every encouragement to such enterprise. He made a memorandum that a grunt of land should be allotted to the Company, and certain privileges allowed them under due restrictions.