DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Evening Post, Volume XV, Issue 276, 24 November 1877, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

This morning a deputation from the City Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, Councillors Macrfonald, Logan, Dixon, Allen, and Maginnity, and Mr. O'Neill, City Surveyor, waited upon the Hon. the Premier (Sir George Grey) at Government Buildings. The Hon. Mr. Macandrew, Minister of Lands, was also present. The Mayor explained that within the limits of the proposed Te Aro reclamation .there was a strip of land not included in the Crown grant of the foreshore to the Corporation. This piece of land was vested in the Superintendent of the Province, and of course had now lapsed to the General Government, and the City Council now applied that it might be granted to them. Sir George Grby said he was in some doubt nbout the matter, as he believed that originally he positively assured certain rights as to water frontage to some people. The Mayor said that was quite correct. These people were now making their claim, and the Council would see that their rights were not infringed. Mr. Macandrew remarked that full plans and details of the proposed work must be submitted to the Governor in Council, under the Municipal Corporations Act. Had that been done? The Mayor replied that the plans were submitted to the late Government, and they approved of the scheme, if the reclamation were not carried to the extreme limits of the Crowngranted foreshore, as they were afraid it would interfere with the harbor. Sir George Grey called on Mr. Seed to explain the plans which were laid upon the table. He then said he saw no objection to granting the strip of land in question to the Corporation on the same terms as it was granted to the Superintendent. But of course he would have to go more fully into the matter, and that could not be regarded as an absolute promise, though a definite answer could be given on Monday or Tuesday next. Mr. Seed, in answer to Sir George Grey, said he knew of no objections to the course proposed, but would look into the question. Mr. Macandrew thought that some provision should be made for a dock. The piece of land opposite the foundry would be a good site. The Mayor replied that the question of docks was an important one, and be was sure that any suggestion in that direction would be carefully considered by the Council; but the site referred to by Mr. Macandrew had been fixed upon for a railway station. Mr. Macandrew again remarked that no plans would be complete without provision for docks; and Sir George Grey said the subject must be looked into. The Mayor said that while he had the opportunity he should like to bring before the notice of the Government the question of the whole of the Thorndon reclamation. Wellington was wholly without endowments, and he suggested that in their place the Government should sell to the Corporation the whole of the reclaimed land at cost price. Sir George Grey replied that opened up a very great question. The money would be wanted to meet the provincial debt. However, he would have the matter thought over. The Mayor said there was another point he wished to bring forward. The City Solicitor had given it as his opinion that a special Act of Parliament would be necessary before the reclamation could be parried out. Mr. Mac Andrew thought the Grown grant was sufficient. The Mayor replied that that was the j common-sense view, but the City Solicitor appeared to think otherwise. Sir George Grey asked the Mayor to put the case in writing, that it might be immediately submitted to the law officers of the Crown, when, if an act was necessary, it could be introduced at once. He considered the city would have a right to ask for such an act. He then incidentally referred to the harbor, saying that the reason why the Government controlled the harbor was always a mystery to him. He could not see why it should not be vested in the city. He would also like to ask what had been done about the land between Kaiwarra and the baths ? The Mayor replied that he understood the late Government intended to give it to the city, in return for the latter consenting not to carry out the reclamation to the furthest limits. Sir George Grey said the matter ought to be attended to at once, and he would suggest that application should be made in writing. The Mayor then called attention to the strip of land between Mr. Mills' foundry and the wharf. The Corporation understood, at the time they bought the reclamation, that this strip was included, but that turned out

not to be the case. He thought that piece might also be granted to the city. Sir George Grey asked the deputation to put that point also in writing, when it would receive immediate consideration. The deputation then withdrew, after thanking Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew for the courtesy with which they had been received.

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