NEW SITE FOR THE TOWN.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 933, 29 February 1872, Page 2

NEW SITE FOR THE TOWN.

A numerous deputation waited upon j his Honor the Superintendent on Tuesday last, to ascertain what were the views of the Government relative to the adoption of another site for the town of Westport in case removal was rendered necessary. Me O'Conor, who introduced the deputation, explained it 3 object, and said that if their worst fears were realised and the encroachments of the sea and river drove the inhabitants of the present town from their habitation, tbey had a right to expect some consideration from the Government; the least that could be done would be to select a spot for future settlement which would be secure from the danger of inundation to which it appeared all towns upon this coast were at present liable. He hoped that in doing so the Government would beeuabled give an equivalent iu land to those who were sufferers through the removal when it took place, which he did not anticipate immediately, kuowing that removal would not be undertaken until absolutely necessary. The Government buildings would very likely be among the first whose removal would be necessitated, and no doubt the spot selected for them would afterwards be adopted as the future town site. Bearing this in mind, it was hoped that Government would, if that occasion arose, remove at once to a permanent and safe site, and not bo satisfied with merely going a little way into the bush and there remaining till compelled to remove again. His Honor io reply said that he would be very glad to hear any sug. gestions which might be given by the inhabitants upou the subject, but that he would not of himself decide upon the selection of another town site or of the amount of compensation which Bhould be given to the inhabitants who might be driven from their homes | he should be guided by his Executive and the Provincial Engineer, taking into consideration the wishes of the inhabitants themselves, whom be did not expect to find unanimously agreed to recommend any ono course as no doubt considerable diversity of interest existed, one object would undoubtedly be kept in view, if the removal of the public buildings were rendered nesessary, that is, the securing for them as safe a site as possible. .Mr Yabdley suggested protecting the tapper part of the town from river encroachments, which he said could be done for £2000; he also mentioned his own .ample means for which he lamented the want of a safe outlet in the" present unsettled state of town sections-

Mr P>:telisok suggested diverting the river ii?to the old channel at the back of Q-arJen Island, Mr Trasek drew attention to the action of the new" channel in directing the encroachment of the sea towards the lagoon at the back of the town, which threatened to n;ahTO all parts of the town untenable, besides the surplus water in the lagoon wou'd force its way aloDg the swamp at street and take the town in the just as badly as the sea and river tooK it in front. Mr Roche expressed a hope that the present protection works would be continued until the lower groiu should be completed, as it would afford considerable protection to the property in Gladstone and Kennedy streets. _ His' Honok replied that be would give a most attentive consideration to the whole case; that while on the spot he would make a full personal enquiry, which would enable him to come to some satisfactory conclusion ; that for the present the stone groin would be continued to the extent of the existing contract; and that he had some hope that matters' were now at the worst as regards ths sea encroachments, and that with the change which had taken place by the formation of the new channel, it was very probable that a new spit would be thrown up which would act as a natural protection from the further encroachment of the sea. The deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.