NEW SITE FOR THE TOWN.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 932, 27 February 1872, Page 2

NEW SITE FOR THE TOWN.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sib, —The gigantic operations which Nature has performed during the last few days in our midst and surrounding us, should arrest the attention of the most unthinking being in this community. Let any person walk from the upper groin on the river bank to the lower jetty, and thence proceed to Orawaiti, marking the line of drift wood which indicates high water mark; and stepping over the narrow space existing between the sea and the deep lagoons at the rear, measure with the eye the miserably limited space remaining for a township. He must be impressed with feelings of astonishment mingled with fear; wonder at the marvellous encroachment by the rivers and sea in so short a time ; and dread that the lives of the inhabitants' will be the penalty of remaining blind to the dangers that encompass the town, when it is considered that the lines of Kennedy and Molesworth streets are upon the highest levels. The sudden convergence of the mouths of the Buller and Orawaiti—the Buller towards the north and the Orawaiti to the south —during the recent flood has swept away a vast portion of ground at each end, afford ing scope for the sea, which during and since the recent gale has advanced with such rapid strides, absorbing the whole of the beach between the two rivers. The ocean surf may shortly be seen sporting on its old playground, the shingle ridges upon the summits of which the township is built, which may be distinctly traced by following the single line of dwellings from the chapel to Orawaiti. The heavy weather season is now at hand, and the recurrence of a flood such as last, accompanied by strong gales at springtides, leaves little doubt but that what remains of the town will be submerged, and more telling disasters to record than loss of property, as there does not exist the slightest eminence or place of refuge nearer than the terraces on the opposite sides of either river. The river mouths are now so close, and the shingle banks on the outer beach having been swept away one by one, exhibit the extreme probability of such a calamity befalling us. The present action of the rivers being that of constantly ground sluicing the banks, which, with the opening for the heavy surf already made, even now leaves a narrow space between the sea and the deep lagoon at the back of the township. The opening made by the Buller into the Orawaiti in limes of flood will cause a continuation of the scouring process and daily diminish the present limited space, proving that the site for settlement has been ill-chosen, and is completely surrounded with clanger. "With ferveDt " Hope," which is the distinguish, ing characteristic of the Buller people, there is a great future for a city at the mouth of this river, and the extreme desirability of being located at a safe distance from such dangers is daily apparent. The large tracts of good country available for settlement, with the rich golden reefs now under development in the interior, warrants the assumption that this district must advance in spite of all past and present drawbacks. With these facts staring us in the face, it is the urgent duty of every man in the community to consider seriously the suggestion of moving the township to the nearest safe and convenient locality. In this emergency the beautifully situated terrace opposite Christy's gardens, is at once prominent and inviting. In a certain sense it would appear to have been placed by a beneficent providence as an especial spot for the dwelling of mankind. There is ample space for a large city; sufficiently elevated, and situated admirably for a complete system of drainage, and with depth of water immediately under the terrace for any of our coasting steamers. The aspect of the place is singularly pleasant and inviting when viewed from our present extremely unsatisfactory ground. And it is very desirable that the people should at once consider the practicability of removing their habitations. It has been considered that liberal conduct on the part of Government, in laying out a naw township on the terrace indicated, and granting section for section, at nominal rates (equivalent in position) to present holders on this township, would remove?much of the apparent difficulty, and offer strong inducements to the inhabitants to rouse themselves and shift to a spot affording such a sense of seeurity from our powerful foes, ocean and flood, and where there would be an incentive to establish permanent homes, which cannot possibly exist upon the spot we now inhabit. - Prompt and decisive action by combination and unity of purpose on the part of the townspeople will scatter difficulties. This epistle is given from conviction drawn from every day observation during a term of several years; and with the object of endeavouring to arouse some action in our already depressed people, to elicit opinions, and inspire a will to escape from a spot so evidently unfit for occupation. A. Waenino.

LAND GRANTED VO\i " PUBLIC UTILITY" IN THE BULLER DISTRICT. (From Nelson Government Gazette, February 18.) "WESTPOKT. RECREATION GROUND. Twelve acres two roods and thirty perches, bounded on the northward by the road adjoining the sea beach ; op the east by Domett-street; on the south by Cobden-street. MUNICIPAL RESERVE. Two hundred and ninety-seven acres two roods twenty perches, bounded on the north by Cobden-street and partly by Roebuck-street, on the east by Domett-street; on the south partly by Stafford-street, and partly by suburban section 7 ; on the west partly by said section 7, partly by the public j road on the banks of the river Buller, and partly by Derby-street. PUBLIC UTILITY. Twenty-three acres, bounded on the north by Gladstone-street; east by Pal merston- street; and west by the river Buller. SOUTH SPIT. CATTLE-LANDTNG PLACE. Four acres two roods eighteen perches, bounded on the north partly by a public road, and partly by a lagoon; on the east by Crown Lands ; on the south by the public road leading to Charleston. OEOWAITT. Three acres and three roods, bounded on the north by section numbered 33 on the. plan of the district of Orowaiti ; on the south-west by the bank adjoining the Orowaiti mudflat; and on the north-west by Crown Land. ADDISON'S. CEMETERY. One acre three roods and thirty-six perches, bounded on the north and east by public roads; on the south by Crown Lands; and on the west by Crown Lands. INANGAHUA. FERRY. Forty-five acres two roods and twenty-eight perches, bounded on the north and east partly by a public road on the banks of the Inangahua, and partly by section numbered 1 on Square 134 on the plan of the Province of Nelson ; on the south by section uumbered 2 on the square; and on the westward by a public road. CHARLESTON. PUBLIC UTILITY, Two acres two roods and twenty perches, bounded on the north and eastward by pnblic roads; on the south by Rlackett-street; on the west by Camp-street. Also, two roods sixteen perches, bounded on the north by. Blackettstreet; east by Waste Lands ; south partly Waste Land and partly by section 357 on the plan of the town; and west by Camp-street. Also, eight perches, bounded on the north by section 349, on the east by Camp-street; on the south by a public road ; on the west by section 370. CEMETERY. One acre aud nine perches, hounded on the north partly by section 358 and partly by waste land; on the east and south by waste lands; and on the west by Camp-street. Also, three roods, bounded on the north partly by a public reserve and partly br Constant Quay; on the east partly by section 95 and partly by waste laud; on the south by waste land and partly by section 101. POWDER MAGAZINE. Fifteen perches, bounded on the north and west by Constant Bay ; on east partly by Constant Bay and partly by Constant Quay; on the south by a reserve for a cemetery. HOSPITAL. One acre and two roods, bounded on the north, west, and east by waste lands, and on the south by the continuation of Blackett-street. BRIGHTON. PUBLIC UTILITY. Two acres end thirty-four perches, bounded on the north partly by section number 82, partly by section numbered 74, and partly by Leekstreet ; on the east by waste land ; on the south partly by waste land and section numbered 83 ; and on the west partly by New-street, partly by sections numbered 82, 81, 80, 79, 78, and 77, and partly by sections numbered 74, 73, 72, and 71. CEMETERY. Two roods, bounded on the north and east by waste lands; on the south by Leek street; and on the west by New street.