WESTPORT LAND QUESTION.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 984, 2 July 1872, Page 2

WESTPORT LAND QUESTION.

To facilitate the adjustment of claims to bo tendered by the inhabitants of Westport, willing to avail themselves of the proposals now made by the Provincial Government in the allotment of sites on the new township of Westport; Mr Commissioner Sharp convened a meeting at the Court House last evening, which was numerously attended. We are compelled to condense, within the smallest possible space, our report of the proceedings. Mr Sharp said that he should take upon hi'nself to recommend the formation of Palinorston street and Rintoul and Fonblanque streets, instead of only to Wakefield street, as at present proposed, the wharf to be between the two last named streets, as affording the better site. He read the resolutions of the Government, as appearing in another column. He explained the object of coming to Westport was to hear the claims of all persons interested in the matter, and suggested that they phould come prepared with the necessary.evidence to substantiate their claims. In the case of parties unable to prepare the necessary documents he would assist them, and would have documents and plans for reference in doubtful cases. The evidence would be confirmed by the statutory declarations of all applicants. He explained that the mode of distribution would be by lot, the applicants to be divided into classes who would ballot for choice of_ allotments. The conditions upon which they would be permitted to hold these sections would be similar to those proposed by Mr Dobsou, referred to in our leading column. In answer to questions put by those pre en t, Mr Sharp said the size of sec :ions would be 33 feet by 99 feet, as a rule. Where persons held two or more adjoining sections covered by buildings, they would, at thejballot, be permitted to draw for two sections, but of course the possibility would be that they might not get two contiguous ones in every case, but the wish of the Government would be to prevent any and every obstacle to the equitable adjustment of claims. Holders of derivative titles under Crown grants originally given to the Maoris would be equally entitled to choice by ballot. As regards the claim of freeholders, he had no power to deal with them, the government not having yet .contemplated any action therein, nor was it his business to suggest any course. The public works, to be commenced in Westport,were mentioned in the reports of the proceedings in Council which he saw had appeared in the local newspaper. For the information of the meeting he read extracts therefiom. It was not explicitly stated when the work would commence, but the specifications were prepared, and no time would be lost. He would \irge upon the Government tho necessity of forming all the streets as early as possible* "Forming" he understood to mean, draining at sides, throwing up soil, and at least fourteen feet of gravel in the centre. A liberal construction would be placed upon the restriction that building should be commenced within " six months of the time of entering upon occupation of sections." Probably it would reckon from the time approaches were finished to the sites. He would not recommend that people now in occupation of sites should be permitted to at once occupy corresponding sections on the new township, inasmuch as that would be taking away priority of choice from those most entitled thereto. He had not yet decided as to what date he would go back to in the acceptance of claims. In conclusion he gave his favorable opinion as to the sito selected, ra.*ed on personal inspection, and also l<u. ,v-

ledge obtained some years ago. He thought the river would require an embankment somewhat similar to that at Greymouth, which, with the belt of timber to be left growing, would form a lasting and effectual barrier against further encroachment.

Wo republish the following prin. cipal resolutions passed by the Provincial Council on Thursday, the 13th ult. and referred to by Mr Sharp. The resolutions in extenso an. pe&red in our issue of the 18th ult.:—. That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to include, in the items placed in the Appropriation Bill, a sum sufficient for the cost of removing the Provincial Government Buildings at Westport to of the public reserve fronting Wake, field street, of extending the forirv- x tion of Palraerston street towardr ie V. upper end of the town, and of forilHnw streets from Palmerston street to the river frontage. That his Honor the Superintendent be recommended to allow the people of Westport who have lost their buildings by the encroachments of the sea and river, as well as those who must from the same cause remove their buildings from the lower portion of the town of Westport, to occupy on lease and at a low rental, allotments on the upper portion of the Colliery Reserves, and that the remainder of the reserve or such portion of it as* the Govern' meat may determine should be declared open for occupation under business licenses as soon as possible after the blocks to be leased have been set apart. That it is desirable that freeholders on the surveyed site of the township, whose holdings hav« been destroyed or depreciated in value by the en. croachmeuts of the river or sea, should be enabled to purchase freeholds in the upper part of the town as already surveyed, at a material reduction on the present upset price; and that, to enable them to do so, his Honor the Superintendent be requested to in. elude in the Appropriation Bill a sutn equal to the purchase of fifty sections so situated. That his Honor be respectfully requested to take such steps as may be necessary to obtain the Governor's assent to the cancelling of the reserve of thirteen acres which at present exists in the centre of the town, except such portions of it as may be required for public buildings, with a view to the land being placed at the disposal of the Waste Land Board.