The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-19


Commenting on these figures the Conn
missioners say .that in view of the fact
that a long period Of commercial depres-
sion eliminated in a total suspension OF
new enterprises and in a general prostra-
ton of business almost unparalleled IN
the economic history of the country, the
above results are very gratifying, and
there is every reason to anticipate a large
" increased demand for the riparian pro-
perry of the State in the near future.
"The bulk of the business done by the
Commissioners during the year past was
in new leases. AS every such lease re-
turns seven per cent. interest per annum
upon the principal sum, the advantage OF
such transactions is manifest.
1.-THE Boar has continued with pro-
duetiVe results the policy OF making q
careful examination of the lands under
water for which applications are made
They nav made personal examination
on nearly every application presented, re-
sulting in some cases in lowering the
prevailing rates on waters of no com
mereial importance, where it seemed bur-
densone and tending to hinder and dis
courage improvements likely TO be made
for the purpose of identifying private
grounds and localities. In other cases
on waters of commercial value they have
taken advantage of the increased value
and d~eSirability of the locality, and ma
terially advanced the rate previously
charged. in one case from $40 per foot
in 1885 to SIS per foot. and have disposed
OF some of the States lands at the latter
THE Commissioners have e~ndeavored
to arrive at such a rate in all cases as
to conserve the States interests, and at
the same time foster and encourage in
yestment In the lands of the State, re-
slltsng in advantages to the locality and
State, rather than by exacting an I'M
reasonable price, drive improvements to
the shores of other States,
THE Board c-Ontemplates extending this
4 policy during the coming year, to an ex-
animation of certain tidal waters of the
State 10 discover whether riparian prop
has been encroached upon and UNI
Tawfully appropriated. This investigation
will be prosecuted with thOrOughness in
BaFnegat Bay an contiguous waters ex-
tending along our coast parallel with the
sea and their tributaries. The Commis-
sioners have reason to believe that the
examination viii result in the discovery
that q number of persons are tresspas-
ser5 upon the property of the State.
lnIormation has come to the Board
STRUCTURES have been built, unwittingly or
ofherwise. upon LAM belonging to the
state at different points along these
These trespassers will in most cases be
gao TO secure a clear title TO the lands
they are occupying, and the result of the
1aNesegation VIII, most likely, add several
thousand dollars to next years revenues
OF the State. Whenever such encroach-
ments on the lands of the State may be
detected, proceedings will be at once COM
meaeed, resulting in added expense and
trouble TO tpe trespasser and leaving him
no recourse but to accept the terms fixed
by the State. 1t is suggested by the Board
tnat lawyers advise their clients interest
ed IL riparian lands of the wrong they
viii be doing the commonwealth and the
injury 70 their own interests by such dis
regard of the rights of the State. As we'll
Ea1Snt a man build a house on and occupy
the land of another because the owner
happened to be absent from the locality
for a time.
There are marked evidences of an in
creased demand for the riparian interests
On the n~ayigable waters Near New York
Harbor, Arthur XIII, Kill Won KulI. New
ark Bay, New York Bay and Hudson
RIver. Some applications for large acqui-
sfions are now pending.
Coming to the question of the Palisades.
the repcrt says that the Board has de-
clared the lease of lands under water to
Messrs. Brown & F1emfng on the Hud-
son River forfeited by reason of the VIOLA
ton by that firm of those conditions of
their lease that provided for the preserva-
ton from destruction or DETACHMENT of the
Palisades in front of which their riparian
interest WAS situated. The Board is in
entire sympathy with the act designed to
prevent the Disagreement of the sublime
natural scenery, and will exhaust its ut
most powers to prevent such vandalism.
The report concludes with the statement
hat to examine the monuments marking
the boundary lines between New York
and New Jersey it would cost from $500
70 $1,000 to make a complete survey.