FORT BRITOMART AND ALBERT BARRACKS, AUCKLAND.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4062, 29 August 1870, Page 3

FORT BRITOMART AND ALBERT BARRACKS, AUCKLAND.

I think it best to transmit to you a report of the speeches on the motions ot Mr. Gillies touching Fort Britomartand Albert Barracks, as it appears in "Hansard.'' The inhabitants of Auckland take a great interest in this question, and will doubtless prefer a detailed report to any mere condensation. The fallowing is the " Hansard" report :— Mr. Gillies, in moving that the land in the city of Auckland, on which Fort Britoniait is situated, should be granted as an endowment for the harbour of Auckland, said it would be in the recollection of honourable members that, some little time previously, the honourable member for Onehunga had put a question in the House respecting this land, to which a reply was made to the effect that the Government had the matter under consi I eration, but that they could not do anything m respect to it at that time. It was with a view to ascertaining what were the intentions of the Government with regard to the matter that he had brought forw.ud the motion. The piece of land on which Forlßritomartis situated had been handed, or had been promised to be handed, over by the Imperial Government to the General Government of the colony, and he believed that it had been actually handed over, although the deeds had not been executed. Honourable members who were acquainted with Auckland were aware that this piece of land is situated on a point running out close to the wharf and to the breakwater. It wag very important that the point should bo cut away, to afford material for filling up any portions of land reclaimed from the harbour. That would have the effect of giving easy access from the main part of the city to Parnell, instead of going up the steep hill known as Shortland Crescent, and the hill leading from Mechanics' Bay to the Supreme Courthouse. It would be a great improvement to the city of Auckland to have the point in question cut away. He was, of course, open to correction by the Defence Minister as to whether the buildings on the ground were required for any General Government purposes. He did not seek to interfere with the land or buildings if they were required for the purposes of the General Government. He thought, however, that in the other barracks accommodation sufficient for every j purpose could be had, and that this piece of land might very fairly be granted as an endowment for the harbour of Atteldand in the way that he had indicated. Mr. Fox considered that the honourable member was quite right in obtaining the opinion of the House and the Government on this matter, but he believed that the honoiu*able member was premature in making the motion, as the Government were not in a position to deal with the case. There were several things to be done between the Imperial and the General Government with regard to the surrender of land and barracks, not only in Auckland, but in Wellington and Taranaki, all of which came under the same rule. The General Government had no desire to remain in the possession of any provincial lands whatever. Their desire rather was that all lands provincial in their character should, as soon a3 consistent with the interests of the whole colony, be handed over to the Provincial Governments for administration, inasmuch as it was considered that thoy could administer them better and more in conformity with the wishes of the people of the locality. The General Government had not the slightest hankering after the reserve connected with Forfc Britomart, or any other barrack. The General Government were uncertain as to whether the fort might not be temporarily required for the maintenance of an Armed Constabulary force, or used for the general purposes of the colony, as we'll as for the particular province of Auckland. The Government would not wish, at the present time, to be tied down in respect to its action. The House might rest assured that as little delay as possible would occur in arriving ■at some decision with regard to the matter. In the meantime, any portions of the buildings situated on this reserve, which wer > not occupied, or not wanted for public purposes or utility, by the General Government, would be placed temporarily, at as early a period as possible, at the disposal of the Provincial Government until permanent arrangements could be made. As regarded the particular case before the House, there was nothing to show that the Provincial Council had j decided to hand over Fort britomart for j the purposes of the harbour of Auckland. He did not think that the House should dispose of the property without some expression of opinion from the province upon the point.

' The honourable member had failed to show , any expression of opinion on the subject ' from either the Provincial Council or the people of Auckland generally. They inighfc have other views with respect to the disposal of the land, and, therefore, before deciding upon the question, it would be very desirable' that the House should have more information upon the subject. He thought it was one that should go before the Waste Lands Committee. It would be prudent,- and he thought necessary, that the Waste Lands Committee should give an opinion upon the subject. He might state, also, that there were still sonic payments te be made in connection with the property, but, as soon as the Government could see their way to doing so, they would do substantially that which Mr. Gillies asked. Colonel Haultain. said that there was another point to be considered, namely, that the land and buildings might be required for harbour defence purposes. Mr. Fox said that that was the point to which he referred when alluding to the possibility of its being reexuired for the general purposes of the colony. -i* Colonel Haultain might remark that the site on which the fort stood had been originally selected by the military authorities for the defence of the harbour. The question of the defence of the harbours had been referred to a committee Jast year, and had been considered by them ; and in their report they rocommended that reserves should be made by the General Government of all lands that might be required for batteries and other defensive works. That was why he thought no decision in respect to this particular land should be arrived at, until it had been determined what measures would l)e adopted for the defence of the harbour of Auckland. Mr. McLean said that it had been held by the Imperial Government, and was hauled over to the General Government on the withdrawal of the troops. Mr. Kelly would vote for "the land being handed over to the province unless required by the General Government. He did not, however, believe that the matter could be dealt with by resolution, and he would, therefore, suggest that the motion be withdrawn. Mr. McLean said he thjught that the honourable member for Mangonui, and the House, would recognise the fact that, while the Government were willing to hand over the land, it might be found that it was required for the general purposes of harboiir defence, in which case the Government would require time for consideration. As to the buildings not required by the General Government, so far as they were concerned they were quite willing to hand them over, temporarily, to the Provincial Government. The Naval Volunteers in Auckland had been allowed to occupy a house at Fort Britomart, to look after the artillery there, and to keep the place in order. It was desirable that the land should not be handed over until it was ascertained whether it would be required for the purposes of harbour defence, which would be of extreme importanco not only to the people of Auckland but to the colony at largo. Mr. O'Horke wished to oxpross his satisfaction at the remarks made by the Premier with regard to the disposal of this property. He was extremely gratified to hear that the General Government had no intention to retain the property, but that they would, as soon as practicable, hand it over to the province. He thought the members from Auckland were indebted to the lion, member for Mangonui for having brought this matter prominently before the Government and the House. To his mind, the honourable member's object was that there should be some custodian appointed, who should have the power of looking after and attending to the properties, as some wero now neglected an falling into decay. As the Government intend? d ultimately to hand over the properties to th Provincial Government, they might, in the meantime, appoint the Provincial Government custodian of the property, and thus enable the Provincial Government to save the buildings, which otherwise would, in all probability, go to decay. Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., did not think the harbour.? of the colony could be protected from any one spot. He believed that such was the fire from the guns of immense size which were now carried by all the men-of-war, that the only way to defend a harbour was to have guns of an equal size, or of larger calibre, placed in different positions, so that the tiro o£ any one vessel could not be concentrated, except on one, or at most two guns. He hoped that, when any change was made as to the defence of the hai hours, the humble word which he uttered now would be thought of and remembered. Mr. Gillies said that, of course, after the assurance givcuby theFremier, that the Government had every disposition, consistent with other requirements, to do what was -. anted, he should not press the motion. At the same time, he would just like to correct the misapprehensions entertained by the Premier with regard to it. It was now upwards of four months since he had first brought this matter under the notice of the Government, by letter, to which, if he was not-mistaken, he had never received an answer ; so that sufficient tune had been given to the Government to ascertain the exact requirements with regard to Fort Britomart as a place of defence. He thought the Premier would find that all the arrangements had been absolutely completed with the Imperial Government, as would be shown by the printed papers laid before the House. The arrangements might not be completed with respect to certiin properties in the province of Wellington and other parts of the colony, hut they were completed with regard to the province of Auckland. The property at Fort Britomart had been handed over by the Imperial Government unreservedly, and without any stipulation whatever. With regard to the Albert Barracks, there were portions of that property which they should have to pay for at the cost price. If the property were handed over to them, the Provincial Government of Auckland would be bound to pay for that property within the Albert Barracks instead of the colony. He might also point out that the Provincial Council of Auckland had never been consulted by the General Government in making reserves for special purposes, or in granting reserves of land as endowments for special purposes. Nor had the Waste Lands Committee ever been consulted by the General | Government with regard to reserves granted i as endowments for special purposes, or as to waste lands set apart as endowments. These were points which the Premier had evidently overlooked. With regard to Fort Britomart being required for the defence of the harbour, he might say that, although it might have been useful for the defence of Auckland in the early times, th£ city had now so outgrown its former limits that this fort, in its present position, instead of being a protection to the town would be the very thiugto draw the fire of any vessel upon the most populated part of the town —the central part. A reserve had been made on the North Head, which was recommended as the best position for the defence of the harbour, and the Provincial Council had shown its willingness to attend to that matter by granting a sum of money to the Naval Volunteers for the placing of two 110-pounders, which were now in position on the North Head, and in charge of the Naval Volunteers. The Provincial Council were not disposed to neglect the defence of the harbour, and the guns were placed on a spot which naval authorities stated to be the proper place to plant them for the defence of the- harbour. After the assurance which had been given by the Premier, he would ask leave to withdraw the motion. Mr. McLean wished to explain that the Government had had several interviews with the hon. member on the subject. '1 lie transactions were not then completed with regard to the whole of the property -referred to in Auckland, and the arrangements respecting the reserves in other parts of the colony were atill in a state of non-complelion, as between the General Government and' the Imperial Authorities. Motion withdrawn.

. ALBERT BABKACKSi AUCKLAND. Mr. Gillies said that, after the assurance given by the Premier, which applied very generally to this motion va well as the pre-

viona oae, he did not think it necessary to press it. He would simply point out, with regard to the Albert Barracks, that he proposed that the land should be handed over in trust, for purposes agreed upon between the Colonial Government and the Provincial Government. There was a considerable difference between this land and that referred to in tlie previous motion. A portion of the land on which the Albert Barracks was situated was enclosed within the barrack walls. There were a number of buildings, and a large space of ground used for tbe recreation of the troops a3 a cricket ground, aud for other such purposes. Outside the barrack wall there was a large piece of ground not built upon, the greater portion of which was well adapted for building sites. At the same time that he would ask the Government to hand over those borrack grounds and buildings to the _ Provincial Government, in trust, to deal with them as they should think proper, he would wish to see the central portion of the ground kept as a place of public recreation. It was a very available spot for the recreation of the youth of the city. He would desire that it should be fenced in and beautified, and kept in order. Even that place was going to rain, to some extent, for want of borne person to keep it in order. Then there were a considerable number of large buildings, one of which was particularly suitable for a hospital for surgical cases, the present hospital being too far away for accident cases, which generally occurred about the town, and it was difficult to get the sufferers to the present hospital. Besides, the old hospital was in a very dilapidated condition, and required to be renewed. There was another large building suitable for a grammar school, the present establishment being in a part of the town not at all central or convenient, and the building not sufficiently commodious to afford the required accommodation. The building in the Albert Barracks was much more suitable, from position and other advantages, for a grammar school. There was a third building, well suited for Provincial Government offices, lie might state that, although the Provincial Government of Auckland had laid out, within the last few years, upwards of £50.000 in buildings for General Government departments, it had not expended one penny on buildings for itselt. It was actually occupying a hired building, much too small for the convenient accommodation of the Government. It was desirable that the building which was within the barrack-wall should be placed at the disposal of the Provincial Government for offices. The Provincial Government having gone to a large expense in providing ample accommodation for the General Government within the last few years, the least the Provincial Government could ask, in return, would be to have a building so suitable placed at their disposal. He trusted the Government would take this matter into their immediate consideration, and do something practical with the property, instead of leaving the buildings empty. Some of them were occupied by officers of the Constabulary, and other officers, who did not require to occupy such large buildings, and who could be properly accommodated elsewhere. Ho hoped the Government would take some practical action in the matter without delay, so that the whole of tho barrack square might not be destroyed, and to prevent the buildings going to ruin, which they would fast do unless 'properly looked after when unoccupied, Ho would move the motion standing in his name pro forma, to allow of honourable members making any remarks upon it, after which he would ask"leave to withdraw it. Motion made and question proposed, "That the land in the city of Auckland on which the Albeit Barracks are situated should be granted to the Superintendent of the province of Auckland, in trust, for such puolic purposes as may be agreed upon between the Colonial and the Provincial Governments." Colonel Haultain merely wished to make a few remarks with reterence to what had fallen from the honourable member for Mangonui. If the General Government were to be called upon in any way to define the purpose for which tho land was to be held in trust, ho hoped they would set it apart as an endowment for primary education in the province. He thought the opportunity of having a valuable reserve for that purpose shoulcl certainly not be lost. In the province of Auckland, except for the town itself, there were really no endowments yielding an income available for educational purposes. Education in the out-districts was in a i sad and unfortunate condition He should also' object to any large portion of the Albert Barrack ground being set apart as a place for public recreation, which was not necessary in that locality, and was not required for the sanitary purposes of the town. In the immediate neighbourhood there was a large piece of ground reserved for the purposes of recreation. Mr. McLean would observe that the barracks were at present placed under the caro of the military storekeeper. Since the troops left, the building had not; been occupied, He did not understand what particular buildings the honourable member for Mangomu had referred to— whether it was the stone building used as a powder-magazine, or the buildings formerly occupied as a hospital. He w.mld confer with the honourablo member on the matter. Mr. Gillies wished to ask the Defence Minister whether the powder had been removed from the magazine. Mr. McLean said the understanding was that the powder belonging to merchants should be removed to the provincial magazine, which, he believed, had been done. The General Government stores were still in the magazine at the barracks. Mr. Gillies would urge upon the Government the desirability of taking measures to remove the powder from the magazine at the barracks. That magazine was in the very centre of a large and populous town, and it was most dangerous to the inhabitants to have a quantity of powder stored in it. The stores of the Provincial Government were situated at a distance from town, and in a position where no great harm could be done if an accident did occur. The honourable members from Auckland would join with him in urging the Government to remove the powder stored in the Albert Barracks magazine as soon as possible. Mr. McLean agreed with the remarks of the hon. member ; but the stores in the magazine were not such as would be attended with any danger. They were chiefly ammunition made up, and, so far as security was concerned, it was ono of the best magazines in the colony. The powder belonging to the merchants had been removed, and a large quantity of Imperial stores had been shipped to other colonies, so that he did not think the magazine was attended with tho same risk and danger as had been represented. Mr. Gillies had received this information from the former military storekeeper, who stated that there was considerable risk, owing to the insecure state of the building, hi case a fire should break out in any part of the town, men were k- pt on the watch lest sparks should get into the half -rotten wood. The hon. member for Franklin had stated that there were no endowments for primary education of any extent in Auckland, yielding an income. The endowments were °only just made, and could not as yet yield an income. It was scarcely fair to leave the House under the impression that no reserves had been set apart for the purpose o£ primary education in Auckland. He • had before him an Act containing a schedule of five pages, giving the number of allotments set apart as reserves for primary education in various parts of the province, and almost all the valuable land in the province had been reserved for the purpose of education. Commissioners were now goiuo over those lands, in order to utilise them by leasing, so that they might obtain a revenue from them, which would be available for the purpose of primary education. He would ask leave to withdraw the motion. — Motion withdrawn.

The Empress of Russia has a special passion for roses, and her conservatories are fullof them. . The carriage drive and promenade opened a$ Liverpool is throe inilea long, and its construction has cost £60, 000.