The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-02-19
MORE LAND NEEDED.
Engineer Earle Thinks So
Mr.. Govern Behind
the Age.

certiorari proceedings OF the Mayor, Al
dermen and Commonalty OF Jersey City
VS.. The Board Of Freeholders Of Hudson
County before Supreme Court Commits
sioner Cassidy continued yesterday after
six D. m.
The hearing was set down for two
o'clock, but it was five minutes past
three before IL began.
The first witness called was Engineer
Z. Earle, who was examined by Judge
MeGrath
Mr.. Earle presented large map Of
Snake Hin, which both parties TO the
case had requested him to make at the
first hearing. He said that the map was
made from the original Post map OF 1874.
with the changes and additions since that
time added. There were "a $500 acres Of
meadow land extending from the tract of
the D.. L. & W. Railroad to the uplands
and % $500 acres OF meadow land on the
southeast side of the upland belonging TO
the county, none of which was suitable
for building purposes.
MORE CEMETERY ROOM.
The upland area owned By the county
was about ninety-five acres, some Of
which was made land. He said he knew
where the grave yard was and was fa-
miliar with it. Ia his opinion more room
Will be needed in short time; two or
three burials take place every day.
Naturally the burying ground will have
to extend toward the pavilion ana luna
tic asylum. Some OF the graves were
now within 300 feet of the pavilion aud
should not be placed much closer, and
the cemetery grounds cannot be extended
any other way without making great
changes. Five or six acres, the witness
said, were necessary Tor cemetery pur-
poses.
Mr.. Earle said there were six acres in
front Of the Almshouse. but they were
not adapted for the erection of a lunatic
asylum, for the reason of its close prox-
unity to the Almshouse, and further, be-
cause ground was necessary to the Aims
house as 1t now stands. The witness
said the treatment of the insane calls for
seclusion. and the Thurber tract he con-
sidered the best tract for the erection Of
any kind of building
OFFERED THE THURBER TRACT.
At this point Mr.. Earle's examina-
tion was discontinued to enable ex-Di-
rector Govern, who was called as a wit
ness and was anxious to get away, to tes-
tify. He was examined by Senator Ed
wards. Mr.. Govern said he had been Il
member of the Board of Freeholders
from 1850 to 1882 and Director-at- Large
from 1882 to 1856. He had also been
chairman OF the Committe on County
Institutions. Was familiar with the
grounds and needs of the county at that
time, but as he had not been at Snake
Hill for about five years he admitted
some Improvements might be required.
He said that when he was director Mr..
Jiles offered to sell the Thurber
tract of land to him for $4,000. The offer
was made on behalf of Ihurber. He said
he had never presented the matter TO the
Board, as at that time there was a Pc
culiar Board of Freeholders, who had
given some county lands away, and he
thought ii the Thurber tract was bought
they would also give that away
THEY VISITED SNAKE HILL ONCE.
Lewis E. Wood, real estate agent, was
sworn for the plaintiff and examined by
Mr.. Edwards. lie said he was acquainted
with the valuation of property In Hudson
county, he knew the Thurber and Smith
properties, and thought they were worth,
irrespective of any consideration, 81 200
per acre at the outside limit. He said it
would be worth to the county, provided
the county needed the land, about &, COO
per acre.
Mr.. McGrath then cross-examined the
witness and who said he had made an ex-
animation of the property in the morning;
that he had never visited the place before
except on one occasion about year and
a b alf ago. He said he bad never dealt
in Snake Hill property. Referring TO trap
rock upon property, he said in the city 1t
detracts from the value. The witness did
not know of any sale of water front prop
erty in that vicinity.
Edward f. Emmons, another real estate
agent, was next seen and examined by
Mr. Edwards. Mituess said he had
visited the Thurber and Smith tracts in
the morning, for the purpose Of seeing
what they were worth. Had never
examined or, seen the property before.
He thought 1t was worth
irrespective of surroundings, about $1,000
per acre, Considering that the county
wanted it., was worth about 81 500 or s., 900
per acre; ne said ne didn't care to give the
outside figures. In making his estimates.
he said, he had considered the nearness
and advantages of the Hackensack River
and also of the trap rock. Properly on
the Hackensack River south of Snake
Hill had sold for from 500 TO $500 per
acre.
Mr.. Edwards then asked the witness
why he placed a higher value upon the
Snake Hill property than he he did upon
the other property.
Mr.. McGrath objected. saying that by
asking such a question Mr. Edwards was
impeaching the testimony OF his own wit
ness.
Mr.. Emmons, answering, said he did so
because of the trap rock and its close
proximity to the Hackens ack River. Trap
rock in city property lessened its value.
Mr.. Edwards asked:-"Has the recent
aet4 on of the Riparian Commissioners in
fix ng the price OF the State grant of land
under water had anything to do with hx-
ing the price of water front property.
This question was objected to by Mr..
McGratn, as were also ali those reJerring
to the value or water front property two
or three miles from Snake Hill.
Mr.. +. Earle was then recalled and ex-
amined by Mr.. McGrath.
He said the tracts of ground in dispute
were the most advantageous for the
erection of a lunatic asylum or other
public buildings, and that SDake Hill
had many natural advantages. IL was
i solated, no other buildings near il; it
could be kept under control. IL had the
benefit of the river, had railway connec-
tion, and If the ground was quarried it
afforded work TO the inmates, ana while
they were working they were improving
the place. IL could also be drained. he
said. without any municipal restrictions
or interference. and was convenient 10
/. he people of Hudson county. The low
lands were not adaped to building pur-
poses
100000 YARDS OF TRAPRocKs-
Mr. Earle said that In the ThurDer and
Smith tracts there was an average OF
3 3.000,0 yards of traprock OF the finest
quality. which in its present state would
bring tour or five cents per yard, or $780,
COO He thought the action OF the Ri
parian Comm ssioners made water fro nt
property owners increase the price OF
their land.
The hearing was adjourned till Friday
morning at ten O'Clock.