NO TITLE HELD BY CATHEDRAL AUTHORITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18149, 7 May 1927, Page 2

NO TITLE HELD BY CATHEDRAL AUTHORITIES.

OWNERSHIP OF STRIP OF LAND UNCERTAIN. An interesting position has arisen in connection with an application by the Church Property Trustees for a land transfer title to a strip of land at present included in the Cathedral grounds on the east side of the Square. As far as can be ascertained the Cathedral authorities have been in possession of the land ever since the Cathedral site was granted to them by the Provincial Council of Canterbury, but it appears that they have never held title to it. The area of the land in question is seven perches, and it lies immediately behind the Cathedral. It is crescentshaped and its greatest width is fourteen feet, narrowing gradually until it reaches a point in line with the northwest corner of Dalgety’s building and the south-west corner of Warner’s Hotel. If the land becomes the property of the City Council it would be possible to widen the roadway in this portion of the Square. The Town Clerk stated this morning that the matter had been brought under his notice by the District Land Registrar, who had forwarded a copy of the Gazette notice, together with a tracing of the plan of the land, in order that the council may have an opportunity of contesting the application if it so desired. On receipt of the notice the city solicitor had been asked to investigate the position with a view to ascertaining whether the city could establish a claim to the area. It was admitted that the land had been in the occupation of the Cathedral authorities for the past forty or fifty years, but they did not possess a title to it. The title, he understood, was held in the name of the Superintendent of Canterbury.

From the point of view of improving the traffic facilities in that portion of the Square, said the Town Clerk, the land would be invaluable to the city. Mr G. M’lntyre, of the firm of M'lntyre and Lewis, surveyors, who has conducted surveys of the land at various times, informed a reporter that the present stone kerbing was in exactly the same position as the previous fences, excepting for about a link on the footpath side. Originally there was a high paling fence, then a crisscross wooden fence, then a chain fence, which was removed some years ago, when the present stone kerbing was erected.

“ It is the first I have heard of it, but the matter will receive my attention immediately,” said the Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer, when communicated with regarding the matter. The Mayor added that the council would go thoroughly into the question of whether it had any claim to the land.