Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-07

Ine Park Commission, at its monthly
meeting Tuesday afternoon, adopted
recommendation to City Council to
purchase four pieces NJ property. three
OF which lie between Fifteenth, Market
and the south long race, and one in
that vicinity but above Fifteenth
street. Should the city ACQUIRE all
these properties it will own ali the sec
tion between the turn in Market street
and the race. The last named property
is owned by j. ID. Winslow and is a
comparatively small piece of land that
lies wholly within the omen section
below Market street. The surrounding
land is owned by the city. Mss Lati-
mer has decided the property on Fiji
teenth west of Market to the city.
There remains, therefore, the corner
property, which could only be trans
ferred through condemnation proceed
ings, as clear title could not other
wise be given below that, the property
of John j. Gallagher, and last of all,
the old blacksmith shop property
which is in the hands OF the Farmers
Bank Of Delaware.
To carry such recommendation as
the one named. majority vote of the
whole Park Commission, which mum
bers Ia, was required by law. 1t ro
ceived the unanimous vote of the eight
commissioners present, namely: Presi-
dent William M. Candy, Dennis j.
Mention, Samuel Bancroft, Jr., William
7. Bancroft, President of City Council
Jesse X. Baylis, j. Newlin Gawthrop,
Joseph L. Carpenter, Jr., and Chief
Engineer james Wilson. Secretary
Richardson was instructed 10 certify
the proceedings to City Council.
In lla plpnpitv no Mr.
Richardson reported that the balance
in hand at the last report was 81, 256. so;
receipts brought the total to "a. 446. so;
expenditures aggregated 81, $50 55, leav-
ing a balance Of 81, 515 95.
The executive committee's report
stated that the committee had decided
10 increase the width of the wall along
the creek. This was done so that ii it
is desired to increase the height of the
wall in the future it will have sufficient
foundation. The engineer had submit
ted a statement of the money available,
from which it appeared that the com
mission will bave only Si00 to continue
work until the first of August On
this account further work on the re-
tanning wall has been stopped. The
tenants OF the house, No. 3 West Fiji
teenth street, have been notified to
move This is tho house received by
the city from Miss Latimer. The ex-
ecutive committee have made an offer
to the tenants to allow them the house
rent free il they will vacate by tho 25th
of June. The house came into the
city's possession after the tenants had
taken it for another year. Conse-
auently they have right to remain
there.
In his report, Engineer Leisen spoke
of the stonpage Of the retaining wall
work, of which 462 feet, about one half,
have been completed. 1t is now being
cemented and conc;eted on top TO pre-
vent the boys tearing it down. Minor
improvements have been made in Della
more and Kirkwood Parks
A communication was received from
the Delaware kindergarten Associa
tion, through Il. Louise Weldiu, its
secretary, in which the building Of
pavilion in Kirkwood Park, for the
benefit of the many children in the
neiRhborhood, was suggested. Tho
communication was favorably received,
but the Park Commission is not at this
time financially able to do much in that
direction.
Samuel Bancroft, Jr., made motion,
however, that the engineer prepare
plan and estimate and submit them
at the next meeting This motion
was carried.
Judge Grubb objects to boys and men
making short cut across his grass
plot on Gilpin avenue, and the ques.
tion Of the authority Of the Park Com
mission over those places ON the avenue
was raised. The commission has never
yet formally assumed charge of the
grass plots and trees, although under
the act which regulated the improve
ment to Gilpin avenue, the commission
has the authority to assume charge. A
resolution to cover trespassing on the
grass plots, which had been drafted by
City Solicitor Harman, was referred to
the executy 70 committee.
The matter of paving the sidewalk
in front of certain portion of the
park drive which the Park Commission
has agreed to do under the decd of gift
from William L. Bancroft and Samuel
Bancroft, Jr., was referred to the OK.
ecutive committee. The matter of
purchasing horse moving machine
for the park, was also referred to the
executive committee, with power to
act.
William p. Bancroft announced
proposition from the Joseph Bancroft &
kouns w. ludl IL lub IdEh 1OIlnlB-
sion would furnish the wires and
lamps, the company would furnish the
current, to light Rockford Grove. This
will also be attended to by the executive
committee.
Mr.. bancroft, in behalf Of the Joseph
Bancroft g. Sons Co., offered the com.
mission the hillsiue piece of land, com
prising one-half to one acre, back Of
the land given by William NJ. Field on
the old Gilpin road, at a. nominal
rental If the park will build path
through the section, the company will
find the money for the work. Upon
motion of Dennis j. Mention, this mat
Ter was referred to the executive COM
mittee and the engineer. The company
desires to retain the ownership of the
land, but will allow the Park Commits
sion the use of il.
Awhile ago there was talk of having
the Park Commission meetings in the
park. but the meetings will still be
held in the Water Department build
ing, Sixth and King streets.
Eirebugs at frankfort.
An attepmt to destroy the freight
dennt at Erankfnrd Euasev nnnnty hy