234 



RAILWAY TERMINI, &c. 



[1853. 



the appropriation bj them of the above mentioned Reserve — one party 

 advocates the conversion of every foot of ground now lying waste into 

 " track," '• brick and moiiar" — another party, with more con'-orn for 

 the healthful recreation of future generations than the convenience of 

 the present, insists on these Reserves for pleasure grounds being re- 

 tained for the purpose they were originally intended to serve. But 

 the question is not whether the portion of ground referred to should or 

 sliould not be used in the manner proposed ; for the Railway Compa- 

 nies are empowered by their charters " to enter into and use these 

 lauds or such parts of them as may be necessary for the making and 

 maintaining of theii' works," and the fact that the use intended to be 

 made of these lands, may probably be most conducive to the public weal, 

 is a mere accidental or extraneous circumstance ; the lands would not 

 be so used unless it was believed by these Companies to be conducive 

 to their own interests. 



All must admit, however, that the interests of the public and of the 

 Railway Companies are one in the most important particulars, and that 

 every facility should be afforded them in endeavouring to establish 

 th'.ir works at the most suitable points ; but if in so doing it be found 

 expedient that these pubUc grounds should be peaceably surrendered 

 for the purposes of business — the life and soul of all commercial cities — 

 it ought not to be forgotten that posterity has some claim on the repre- 

 sentatives of the public at the present day, and surely some effort 

 should be made, before it is too late, to provide breathmg space for 

 those who come after us. The great demand, for building space, the 

 rapid filling up of that -whicli is vacant, and its consequent increasing 

 value, wiU, in a very few years, make it next to impossible to open up 

 grounds such as are provided for the adornment of older cities, and 

 considered not only beneficial, but necessary for the recreation, amuse- 

 ment and instruction of the masses. It will, indeed, be a reproach, if 

 within the limits of the City of Toronto, comprising an area of six 

 square miles, and which half a century ago was just emerging from 

 ■ the wilderness, a few acres be not set apart and held inviolable for 

 these purposes. 



Again, without one general plan subscribed to by all parties con- 

 cerned, it is not quite clear how the location of the various Railway 

 Termini can be otiierwise than fraught witli litigation, inconvenience, 

 and even difficulties of an engineering character ; — the first has already 

 commenced, but the last is in store for the future, and will, doubtless, 

 along with the first increase in a ratio proportionate to the number of 

 Railwa3'3 from time to time constructed. In proof of which, we have 

 only to observe what is now taking place, and what may probably 

 follow. The Directors of the first Railway constructed take possession 

 of the most eligible part of the water frontage, make wharfs, erect 

 buildings, and lay down tracks leading thereto ; the 2nd Railway 

 secures space sufficient for its Terminus, but in reaching it, has to pass 

 through the grounds of the 1st. ; the 3rd Railway, witli some trouble 

 and much expense, procures length and breadth for its wliarfs and 

 buildings, but in approacliing thereto ha« to cross the tracks and cut 

 up tlie arrangements of tlie 1st and 2ud.; and so also with the 4th and 

 5t)i Railways eonsti-ucted to the water frontage, either forced to pass 

 along the public streets to the only available positions left, or crossing 

 and le-crossing tlie ti-acks previously laid, and interfering with the 

 terminal arrangements of other Railways. 



The disadvantages of such a course of proceeding may be summed 

 up in a few words: — Making and unmaking works of a costly character 

 (reckless expenditure); crossing and re-crossing of tlie tracks of the 

 various Rail ways, (increased chances of collision); innumerable level 

 crossings, (danger to foot passengers and horse-vehicles); Termini ini- 

 projiorly connected with each other, (inconvenience to travellers) ; and 

 de.struclionof pleasure ground reserve without giving an equivalent in 

 kind, (probably expedient, but not de.'iirable); — allof wliich may be ob- 

 viated by adopting in good time a plan of arrangements on a scale 

 commensurate with the prospective business of the City ; and although 

 many years may elnpse before its eutiie completion, yet each part 



could be made in accordance therewith, and in such a way as to form 

 a portion of a grand whole. 



The accompanying plan, briefly described underneath, -will show- 

 how easily extensive arrangements could now be made without inter- 

 fering with existing structures, while delay of even a few months 

 would, to say the least, make the carrying out of any general plan a 

 matter of some difficulty. It is unnecessary to trouble you at present 

 with tlie financial portion of the scheme, or the manner in which the 

 private holders of water lots could be fairly dealt with, since this is a 

 matter for careful consideration and legislative enactment. That the 

 plan proposed, embracing a space of flora 250 to 300 acres, devoted 

 chiefly to Railway terminal purposes, and shipping, will be considered 

 by some persons far to extensive or even Utopian, is not unlikely ; but 

 knowing the lavish expenditure and embanasinent which too restricted 

 arrangements have caused in other places, and seeing the almost magi- 

 cal advancement which tlie city is now making, I venture to say, that 

 ■without some comprehensive scheme, more money will eventually be 

 sunk, directly and indirectly, than might be required to carry out step 

 by step to comjjletion, any plan however extensive or however costly. 



It is proposed to set apart a strip of land throughout the entire 

 length of the City, of a width sufficient to accommodate nine Railway 

 tracks, to be level with the wharfs, to be crossed only by bridges, and 

 to be used solely as a Railway approach and for Railway connections 



Front Street straightened as shown on the plan, to be converted 

 into a Terrace above the level of, and separated from the " Railway 

 approach" by a retaining wall and parapet, to be 120 feet wide, and 

 pLauted with rows of trees throughout its whole length. 



The entire area south of the Front Street Ten'ace to be on the wharf- 

 age level, and reached by slopes from the bridges. The bridges may 

 be of iron, of a simply ornamental character. 



The space to be set apart for each of the Termini to be determined 

 by the Government, the Corporation, and the agents of the Companies ; 

 the manner shown on the plan being, of course, merely arbitrary. 



Each Railway to have its own particular tracks on the Approach, 

 with sidings to the various Termini for the purpose of forming connec- 

 tions. 



The number and size of the "slips," and the detail generally of each 

 Terminus being governed by the requirements of tlie Companies, to 

 be designed and carried out by them in accordance therewith, it 

 being only requisite that the piers do not extend beyond certain defined 

 limits. 



It is also proposed to reserve certain portions (to be under the sur- 

 veillance of the City Corporation) for the lauding of steamboats un- 

 connected with the Railroads, for private forwarders, for Baths and 

 Washhouses or for general public service ; the places allotted for this 

 purpose on the plan, are situated at the foot of York and Youge Streets 

 and at the rear of the St. Lawrence Hall, and are named respectively 

 the " Niagara," the " City," and the " St. Lawrence Basins." 



No localities are better adapted for extensive aiTrangements of this 

 character, and at no future time will it be possible to carry out any general 

 plan at so little cost, since few erections of any consequence now e.xist,and 

 none need at present be interfered with. All tlie Railways would liave 

 free intercourse witli each other, without a single level crossing. And a 

 grand terrace, perfectly straight for upwards of two miles, planted 

 with trees, like tlie " Paseo" of Havana, would be more tlian an equiva- 

 lent for the pleasure ground reserve taken from the public for other pur- 

 poses. From tliis terraco the fresli breezes from tlie lake might be enjoy" 

 ed — the arrival and departure of shipping, and the marshalling and 

 moving of trains viewed by the young and the old without fear of danger. 



■VVliile contemplating improvements on so grand a scale, the selec- 

 tion of a site to be dedicated to a great Public Building should not be 

 lost sight of, — I refer to one which even now the want of is felt, viz : 



