STREET WIDENING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 21 November 1923, Page 4

STREET WIDENING

SELWYN PLACE AND SUSSEX

STREET

At the special meeting of the City Council last evening Messrs Dyson and Samuel, as a deputation from the -Cathedral Parish of Christ- Church, waited on the Council in reference to the exemption under the P.W. Act of Selivyn Place io Sussex Street.

Mr Dyson said the matter had now been before '.he. Council for a considerable time, and the tru.«t he represented had lost £75 in rents from the matter being held up, which was a serious matter from their point of view, lie thought the reply recently made by the Minister ol Public Works was sufficiently definite for them to sell or dedicate. In order for a quick decision lie would, on behalf of the trust the deputation lepresented, offer the portion to the Council for £2ob. If dedicated t lie sum would probably be considerably in excess of that. If the Council was prepared for a. quick decision it would postpone the payment till Ist April next year, so as to prepare in tile next estimates The whole property was incorporated in two trusts (Cathedral Parish of Christ Church and tno Diocesan Trust Board). The strip under offer had a frontage of 21ft. Bin. to Cotlingwood Street by 132 feet to Selwyn Place. The offer would only be open till noon tlie'next dify (Wednesday) and n not. accepted, they would then go to dedication and compensation which would lie in the vicinity of £3OO.

The Mayor: Are you prepared to take any less.

Mr Dyson said the matter had been left to Mr Samuel and himself to deal with, and their offer was final.

Mr Molfatt : Arc you in a position to deal with the balance?

Mr Dyson sgid there was no fear but what the Diocesan Trust Board would deal fairly with the. Council in respect to their portion. He could not hind them in any way.

Cr/Moffatt: I have a somewhat pertinent —perhaps impertinent —question, Was the £2OO vour original assessment. Mr Dyson: 1 decline to answer.

Cr. Gibbs: If you get exemption are you still compelled to build 33 feet back from the centre of the road. Mr Samuel said there were no exemptions. He pointed out that arbitration would bo a costly business, however well the Council or Board did out of it. Cr. Moffatt said the Minister’s verdict altered the position. He had no objection to the deputation remaining while the Council came to a decision. He would prefer that they remain. The Couneif had nothing to hide. Mr Dvsoti said that they would retire and endeavour to get in touch with the Board trustees

The Council then went into committee

Cr. Edwards asked the Mayor if the Council would retire into another room. To save the Council this trouble the press retired. The Council then went into committee.

The deputation was informed that the Council line! resolved to offer £3OO for the strip of land controlled by both trusts.

(The strip controlled by the Diocesan Trust Board is about. 2 chains in length.)