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109
full responsibility of the maintenance of the garden in the
future, which will be known as the Christchurch Recreation
Ground, and opened daily, except on Sundays and public
holidays.
In the year 1805, the Churchwardens of Christchurch
leased to the Commissioners for putting into execution an Act
of Parliament, the 31st Geo. III., c. 61, known a* "The Upper
Ground Street Act,"at the yearly rent of 17 10s. per annum,
and for a term of 99 years from Christmas, 1804, a piece of
land situate on the south-east side of the street, in the vicinity
of Roddy's Bridge, for the purpose of laying the same into and
improving the street. The Commissioners appear to have
taken no steps for a considerable time to carry out the improvement,
considering that it was not required, and during this
time they sub-let the land to various persons, Mr. William
Lee, of Upper Ground Street, Lime Merchant, being the latest
tenant; but, about the year 1840, they effected the improvement,
throwing, as tho minutes of the Commission show,
about one-third of the laud into the public way; tho remainder
they, on the 25th June, 1840, sub-leased to Mr. William Lee,
at the same amount of rent, and for a term of years expiring
ten days before Christmas, 1903, when the term of the original
lease will expire. The Trustees of the Christchurch Parochial
Charities have lately applied for compensation in respect of
the land thrown into the public way, and which they appear
to consider should revert to thorn on the expiration of the
lease, but, seeing that the lease was granted to the Commissioners
for the express purpose of the land (the whole of it
apparently) being thrown into the street, it is difficult to see
what claim the Trustees of tho Charities can have in respect
of the portion so dedicated to the use of the public, and now
forming part of the public highway of Upper Ground Street.
Tho remainder will doubtless revert to them.
W. H. ATKINS,
Clerk.
Board Room,
Emerson Street, Banksidh, S.E.
July, 1900.