that the ground
was never
assigned
to the Board of Ordnance or otherwise alienated, and that it has consequently
been included in the official Maps of War Department Reservations
nor have the Military Authorities ever revived their claims to it after receipt in this colony of Earl Grey's despatch (Military no. 94 of 3rd June 1851) copy of which is hereto attached effectually settling the question of ownership.
2.
In this despatch the Colonial Government was confirmed in its possession of the ground, but the right was accorded to the Military Authorities to use the same as a place of exercise for the Troops whenever it might be judged fitting.
3.
The use of Queen's Road, the great central thoroughfare of the city, bounding the square on the South side was not included in this concession. The latter is worded too clearly to be misinterpreted and is limited solely and exclusively to the ground then under dispute. Is it possible, as has been suggested, that the roadway though impliedly not named was actually included in the concession, for it is incredible that a measure entailing such serious public inconvenience as the blocking of the entire traffic of