CLOSING UP STREETS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 275, 8 May 1873, Page 6

CLOSING UP STREETS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — I trespass on your space for a little, with the view of entering a gentle protest against the closing of certain streets in this town ; so that in after years, when the shoe pinches and the difficulty becomes aunoying, it may not be said that the consequences were unforseen. I have uniformly resisted the several steps which have been taken to get these streets, viz., Canna-st., Maryportst., and Corsewall-st. closed. The Superintendent advertised in the " Gazette " for objections, to be sent in within 60 days, otherwise he would not give them any consideration. Letters and petitions objecting were sent in within the prescribed time. The Superintendent evidently did not expect anyone to read the " Gazette " and see the notice within the 60 days; so that he might be in a position to do the parties a service who have been exerting themselves to have these streets closed. His expectations, however, having been exceeded by the appearance of objections, he inserted a fresh notice in the " Gazette," that a special meeting of the Executive would be held for the purpose of deciding said objections ; and parties interested were invited to be present. This, you will see, was a very neat way of checkmating the objections, as there was little fear of any of the interested parties making a special journey to Dunedin for the purpose. The result was there were no objectors present at the meeting referred to, and consequently the streets were closed. That is the end of it for the present. Those who wanted the streets closed have gained their end, and I wait with interest the development of their ideas. The only level piece of ground where the town can extend over, is now marred by a blocked-up street right across it. It is not, I think, improbable that in two years all that ground will be built on. Government will be called on to sell it ; the races will by that time have fallen to zero, as they appear now to be doing, and the public park will be transferred to Wetherstones Flat, than which a finer place for growing trees, &c, could scarcely be found. — I am, &c, Go-ahead. Lawrence, May 6.