, 1915-08-28

fact, that it realized that owing to the parti-
cular circumstances and exlgencies OF the case
it was the only alternative and better could
not be done.
But as a permanent Barracks the case as.
sumes a different aspect, as such the Com
mittee considers the site Impractical and ex-
tremely ill-chOsen and our reasons therefor
we have attempted to point out to the hon.
Members both clearly and coucisely III the
Report now before the Council.
The Community does not want 1t.
The sanitary arrangements IN such n hml-
ted space considering the numbers eventually
TO be qunrtered must he extremely difficult
and deficient and the Committee fears may
prove not only "a nuisance but u serious
mcnnce to the health Of this community, the
tone of the quarter will be altered in more
ways than one and the Inhabitants deprived
of the free use Of their only public park and
promenade; moreover, FROM the decrease IN
the value of the nearby properties (Which rs
we who are Acquainted with the feelings of
our constituents know will eventually follow
there may be q loss in revenue to the Colour
al Ireasury.-I need not exhaust yorr pm
tionce by dwelling more on the other facts
as pointed out in the report, but for all these
reasons the Committee would
this Council 10 Iny the matter again before
the Minister of Finance and ask for a recon
Bideratioo Of his decision.
Before the Speaker resumed his seat he
could not refrain from placing before the
hon. Members the two arguments, and
there are only two, which can be and are nd
vanced by the advocates who are ready aud
willing TO convert the depot into a Barracks.
The one is: the Community viii be benuti-
6ed by the building, and the other: that
tho Gtota viii NO cova1 tho avDpuditma If a
few thousand Francs.
1t bus often been remarked that Beauty
is a fading fowel" a remark which is
equally true Though perhaps to q lesser ex-
TENT of buildings as we'll as of persons. Even
gold can DO bought too denr, and the Speaker
believed that a Barracks on this site would
be the greatest price, and we would hope
the last price, this Community will ever have
to pay for the sake Of mere supposed beauty.
The next point was that of Expenditure
aud Economy. We are told, that for the
State to comply with Our wishes it must
sacrifice a few thousand francs.
This Municipality from it's own revenues
hns contributed since 1907 SIS, 600. annually
TO the general State expense.;-that has
been a great sacrifice, and a sacrifice which
has been gladly and nobly made, and il in
lis turn the State must make a sacrifice in
OlU6I 10 6NdCC from record one OI GuC uiOSb
distastoful measures to q community, and
rebuid HE Barracks on its old and former
site, and when such Il measure, such a sacrl-
fee 0f YOU deem il such) brings, ms he be-
heved it would bring, contentment to the
Community of ChristiaLsted, satisfaction to
the Municipality Of St. Croix, honour and
added loyalty to our Mother Country, it will
be amply aud aboundingly rewarded.
With these remarks, the Speaker would
beg to recommend the Committees report
and ask for it's favourable consideration
His Excellency the actg. Vice-Governor
(BaiOtotn) answered, that the hon. Speak
Ct had ndduced as the first and principal
reason, that HE community of Christiansted
was against the building OF q Barracks on
the site in question. His Excellency could
not. Of course, gninsay this, hs supposed the
34pi e-entatives of the community knew bet
ter about the feelings of the community than
he did. But about the other arguments in
the Committees report His Excellency would
make some remarks.
The sanitary arrangements His EXcellency
did not think would be impossible to make
in a satisfactory manner, though the space
might be limited. 1t must be remember
Cd, that only about 50 people were 60
mo 10 live IN fIa ,loco pIa 0fLAr oruu-