CITY ACCEPTS GIFT OF HUMBER PARKWAY
But Makes Changes in Conditions Laid Down By Mr. Smith.
OPPOSES BARB WIRE IN DIVIDING FENCE
Plan Includes Annexation of Humber Valley and Swansea.
Best east dating available of this text Globe and Mail, Month July, Year 1911, click image for full size date capture.
click for full size of date capture
Mr. R. Home Smith’s offer of a gift to the city of 105 acres in the Humber valley in connection with the boulevard driveway scheme was accepted by the City Council yesterday afternoon after some changes had been made In the conditions laid down by Mr. Smith. If these are not objected to by Mr. Smith and the deal Is completed Toronto will not only have saved the beautiful Humber River and valley from possible spoliation, but will have provided for a splendid driveway from the lake shore to Dundas Street as a part of the sea wall boulevard.
The city will have to apply to the Legislature for authority to carry the deal to its final stage, including the annexation of the Humber valley and Swansea.
The changes made In the terms suggested by Mr. Smith include a provision that the City Engineer and Park Commissioner be included with Mr. Smith in giving approval to the construction of the boulevard and bridges.
The clause stating that the city was to use Its -best-efforts” to obtain the legislation required, supported by Mr. Smith, was amended to read that Mr. Smith pay half the cost such legislation.
The proposed barbed-wire trespass-proof fence to divide the boulevard from other property was not approved by the Council, and the “barbs” were voted out. The fence Is to be a woven wire fence without barbs.
The city is to have the use of the stone In the bed of the Humber River as well as Mr. Smith. the city’s share of the stone to be used in the construction of the boulevard and bridges.
Terms of Agreement as Passed
Following are the conditions, in brief, as finally passed bt the City Council.
Mr. R. Home Smith is to give the City a free grant of the lands in the Humber Valley, on the east side of 104 acres; a road allowance of 100 feet width from Queen street to Bloor street;. two strips of land adjoining Bloor street and sufficient to widen Bloor street to a width of 100 feet for the length of the said strips; the city to use the road allowance and stripe adjoining Bloor street for the purpose of public highways; the city to annex the Swansea district and expropriate the Kennedy and Watson properties: the city to spend at least $25,000 per year for five years, beginning in 1912. on the construction of a first-class macadam or other suitable pavement along the central part of a driveway, etc., 100 feet in width, and bridges as part thereof, the same to be approved by the City Engineer, Park Commissioner. and Mr. Home Smith; the city to construct a trespass-proof fence of woven wire to divide this property from the property adjoining, not to cost more than $10,000; Mr. Home Smith to he permitted to remove stone from the bed of the river, from floor street to Dundee street, until January 1, 1915 and the city also to have the privilege of removing stone from the bed of the river to be used in developing the boulevard and constructing the bridges; Mr. Home Smith to support the city in obtaining the necessary legislation to carry nut the scheme, and Mr. Smith to pay half the expenses thereof.
Council Tired of Delays
At the outset of the discussion of the boulevard proposition, Ald. May moved to refer the matter back to the Board of Control in order to obtain reports from the Assessment Commissioner and the City Engineer as to the value of the lands mentioned in Mr. Smith’s gift and the cost of the construction of the road’s and bridges. Information was also desired as to whether the lands in question were at Mr. Smith’s disposal or were vested In the Crown. This resolution was seconded by Ald. Chisholm.
At first it seemed as if the majority of the members would vote for the reference back, but the discussion on this question kept lengthening out until finally the Council decided to deal with Mr. Smith’s proposal clause by clause. Thereupon it was passed, with the alterations mentioned.
Ald. May’s resolution to refer the matter beck was lost on the following vote: Yeas—Aldermen May, Dunn. Chisholm. Sweeny and McMurrIch—3; nays—Mayor Geary, Controller, Hocken, Ward, Church; Aldermen Mccarthy,O’Neill, Maguire. Phelan. Heyd. McCausland. Anderson, Graham. McBrien, and Yeomans-14.
During the discussion on Ald. May’s resolution the mover stated that he had been informed at the Parliament buildings that land Included In Mr. Smith’s offer belonged to the Crown. He said the proposed boulevard would coat over a million dollars.
It is not known whether or not Mr. Smith will agree to the altered terms of the agreement He was out of the city last night, and will be away for several days.
Recent Comments