CORRESPONDENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 251, 1 September 1874, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do rot hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

■ MR MARSH ON BLOCK IX. To tlie Mitor of the Cromwell Argus,

Sir,—As aCertain amount of odium has been and still is beng thrown upon me in regard to the action I hive taken in the matter of Block IX. and the entroachment upon the main road, I should like to explain to your readers the correct version of ;he whole business, as otherwise I much fear the rue facts will never come before the ratepayers in general. During Mr G. V. Goodger's tenure of office as Mayor, he and hs Council applied to the Government that th* strip of ground on the south side of Melmore-t<rrace, then put aside for the purposes of a minng reserve, (and now known as Block 1X.,) shculd be alienated from such purpose, and vested"n the hands of the Corporation as a recreation C) reserve for the benefit of the" citizens of Crorivell. Thi3 application was granted by the Govenment, but solely on the condition that the blok should be applied to the purpose specified, and to that only, and that on no account was any p*t of the said land to be lei. sold, or hmlt upoii The Council accepted trie block on those conditions. But ere long, one or two, more astutt than the others, began to raise the question of improvement, the result being that a second imnicipal letter was addressed to the Govern meit, requesting them to re-consider their determination as regarded building on the ground tie Corporation had acquired for the citizens as a teserve. The Government referred the Council to its previous letter on the subject, and insistedthat those conditions should be fulfilled. And h. w well the Council have carried out their trust in this particular ! Tn their first application to tie Government for the land, they promised to renove " those nasty, jumbled'? rocks, which were m eyesore to the citizens, to plant trees, and a'fcoge'ther to make this said reserve " a thing of leanty and a joy for ever.", But still the rocks rtmain, and where are the trees ?

Then, for election purposes, a sort of quasii consent was obtained from some <f the Councili lors who sought re-election, t> erect—first i stables, then cottages and shops which were • intended as remunerative investments by the * proprietors, and we all know how iayable they i have proved to some. And so f ie evil has ; grown and is growing beyond control And now 1 the same parties, who are so consid>raly interi ested in the much-vexed question of Block IX. being allowed to remain as heretofore pull the i strings, and lo ! a monster petition is o be sot ■ up at once, praying the Govornment b reduce the width of the main road, (which, if granted, 1 will reduce the value of my property justfn proportion as it enhances the value of the parties of those interested in Block IX.); and be'ause I . appeal to the Superintendent against this injustice, I am called an "uncourfceous fellow". Knowing the conditions on which the re e rve was granted, which the Council know as wi\ as myself, it can hardly be expected that I ctjld have much confidence in a body which knowinly allowed a grievance to exist, but for some motVe refused to remedy, or rather shut their eyes 0 it Therefore I had to go to a higher tribuni than the Corporation, and what is the result T beg to refer your readers to your municipal report in last issue, more especially to the Provincial Secretary's letter, in which the Council are advised to do their duty, otherwise it will have to be done for them. This is certainly galling to an eight-year old Council, but still more intensely so to those who have houses paying a handsome rent, and who will perhaps be denrived of the goose that lays the golden eggs. I had hoped that the Municipal Council last elected would have tried to do their duty to the citizens irrespective of fear or favour. However, I must say I am already disappointed. The Council nuw know their duty and power as regaids their hold on Block IX., but for the sake of one or more Councillors raise a great smoke about a want of courtesy, threaten to return the Secretary's letter, and, burking the consideration of its contents, gracefully (?) retire I for the time being, abusing ma. But, on, t

Mr Councillor Grant gave notice of motion " to the effect that the Council take into consideration the subject Of. the width of Melmore Terrace, and the advisability of having Block IX. surveyed and sold." And the meaning of this is plain. The Government letter is to be unored, pending the pleasure of the Cromwell Council, they thereby trusting that this present row may blow over, and that the Government may be persuaded to reduce the width of the mam road, and so allow these public-spirited Councillors and othors to still keep their goose, to the detriment of others situated like myself. Mr Editor, as this matter is still before the Government, and as they are aware of the above clever move, I will leave the matter as it now stands, letting your readers draw their own deductions.—lam, &c, John Marsh. August 28, 1874.