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proposed to be erected on Crown land on the south side of
Little Pulteney Street, before the same were approved, was
courteously acceded to by the Hon. Charles Gore, Commissioner
of Woods, &c., and a deputation was appointed to
attend an interview with Mr. Gore on the subject. The
plans were carefully examined, Mr. Cates, Crown Surveyor,
being in attendance, and freely furnishing information on
various points. The Vestry, on receiving the report of the
deputation, made certain suggestions for the modification of
the original plans, some of which it appeared Mr. Cates had
already required to be carried out. Amended drawings were
subsequently submitted, and met the objections of the Vestry
to the original plans as far as the exigencies of the site would
allow. These drawings have since been approved by the
Commissioners, and building operations have been commenced.
The Vestry have had under consideration the practicability
of acquiring a block of buildings on the north side of Little
Pulteney Street, and a committee was appointed to go fully
into the subject, but having regard to the difficulties
surrounding the question and the probability of early legislation
following the report of the Royal Commission on the
Housing of the Poor, the Vestry did not see their way to
take any active measures in the matter. It may be stated
that neither the Vestry, nor the Commissioners which they
are empowered to appoint for providing lodgings for the
labouring classes, have any power to purchase property by
compulsion for the purpose of erecting artisans' dwellings.
Assuming that the holder of every interest in a block of
property is legally able to sell his interest, the Vestrv, or
the Commissioners, would, it they desired to acquire it, be
practically compelled to buy it at the vendor s own price.
If, however, but one interest, however small, were held by a
person under a legal disability, or unwilling to sell the