Subject of a further Report, I reserve my opinions until receiving such further Communication as you may have occasion to make to me upon the question.
No. 53. GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
With reference to Government Notifications Nos. 46 and 47, it is hereby intimated, that Lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, therein referred to, have been so arranged as to conform to a project contemplated by Government, by which a Praya will be constructed, extending Northward of the City of Victoria from the Parade Ground to Possession Point.
The particulars of, and advantages to be derived from, the proposed measure, will be readily perceived from the subjoined Minute, recently submitted for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor.
Further particulars will be notified hereafter; and Lease-holders who, by contiguity of property, are interested in the arrangement proposed, are requested to communicate without delay with the Surveyor General, at whose Office the Plan is ready for inspection.
"I would propose a Praya, either straight or curvilinear, as the Surveyor General may decide, commencing from the small Promontory or bend, about half-way up the Parade Ground sweep, where the old Middle Store Pier used to stand, to the place where the New Battery is proposed near Mr Murrow's at Possession Point, or even to West Point, if necessary.
"There should be Piers, private and public--one private, say between every four houses, where house-boats could be slung on davits; and public Piers at the places already fixed upon. The private to be distinguished by (say) White Lamp-posts, the public by Black and by distinctive Lamps at night time. To the public Piers would resort all boats plying for hire, or boats with cargo from houses not facing the sea.
"A railing, house, or wall, in front of each Marine Lot, to clearly define it and preserve its privacy, then a Praya of 45 Feet, and a Sea-wall,--no obstruction to the carriage of goods across the Praya.
"When the Surveyor General's plan is formed, each holder of a Sea Lot to be required to fill in the space before his house up to the Sea-wall; and in cases where this has been already done, and done too far, so much of the recovered ground as may be necessary must be resumed. This latter condition is not likely to be demanded, as the Surveyor General's plan would place the Sea-wall far enough out to make it a final boundary.
"On the completion of this project, all the Marine Lots affected by it to be remeasured; and, unless some special reason appear, the dimensions of each lot to be registered according to the dimensions thus shewn; and no additional rent charged for the increase, or a proportionate sum, diminishing according to the amount of ground cleared.
"It must be borne in mind, that the ground already reclaimed by the tenants of Marine Lots has been so reclaimed without permission from Government, which has been put to much expense in consequence of these acts of the tenants; and also that the public generally has suffered, and is suffering, great inconvenience by the obstruction of the landing-places.
Page 66
Page 77