DEMOLITIONS THE OLD MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1683, 10 July 1875, Page 2

DEMOLITIONS THE OLD MARKET.

A large concourse of persons were this \ morning attracted to the old market reserve to witness the demolition of a cluster of buildings associated with by-gone memories, not of the most pleasant description, in connection with the history of the rise and progress of the city. Some eighty men have been busily employed from daybreak this morning in pulling down the miserable, dilapidated shops which were recently in the occupation of a number of small traders, and which reminded the spectator of such places as Petticoat Lane and Cutler-street, by the Minories, on the eastern side of the city of London. The levelling of these rude and dangeious structures were carried on under the direction of Mr. [Brock, the builder, and by sunset this evening- by the hour of the shining forth of the Evening Star—the site of the Old Court-house will be free from its encumbrances. Clusters of curious persons of an enquiring turn of mind were pointing out the condemned cell, and the spot where the gallows stood, and where the last man was hanged for murder on that spot. The place was screwn with kerosine tins and broken ware, and from the cell where criminals were severed from society and paraded with, jealous care by lynx-eyed warders, about a score of rats issued and were hotly pursued by man, dogs, and boys, and killed to the great amusement of the spectators, but no dead men's bones were found as had been idly reported. Several expressmen looked upon the scene with feelings af regret,. and one said to our reporter, " We shall be left out in the cold now, until the new buildings are erected." Others regarded the fall of the miserable buildings as a promise of better things, and hoped ere long to look upon a new range of houses and shops of a more attractive character, which will add beauty to Queen-street, and stand forth like hope flowering above the ruins of the dead past.