The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3847, 15 November 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1883.

There appears to be some impression abroad that the Corporation is occupying its present offices on a mere verbal understanding that had been arrived at betAveen Mr Ormond, the then Superintendent, and the late Mr Stuart, the then Mayor, and that there is no Avritten evidence on which the Corporation can base its claim to their occupation. This is an erroneous idea, but one Avhich tho Government CA-idently entertains. The first correspondence that passed between the Superintendent and the Mayor on this subject is not apparently in existence, but tho folloAving letters -will slioav that

previous negotiations had been going on, and a settlement satisfactory to both arrived at:—"Municipal Council Chambers, Napier, April 14, 1875. To His Honor tho Superintendent. Sir,—l have the honor to request that you will be good enough to inform me Avhen the premises noAv occupied by the Resident Magistrate can be made available for offices for the Corporation. I have, &c, Robert Stuart, Mayor." In reply to tho above tho folloAving answer was returned: —"Superintendents Office, April 16,' 1875. Sir, —In reply to your Worship's enquiry when the premises now used as the Resident Magistrate's Court Avill be available for offices for the Corporation, I regret to say I am unable to name any definite time, as I do not knoAv when

the building to which the Resident Magistrate's Court is to bo removed avi'U be ready for occupation.—l lnwo, &c, J. D. Ormond, Superintendent." Subsequently another letter must have been addressed by tho Mayor to the Superintendent, of which, however, there is no record, for on November

19,1875, thcSupcrintcndcntAATotcasfolloAvs: —"Superintendent's Office, Napier, NoA'cmber, 10, 1875. Sir,—ln reply to youri Worship's letter of this day's date I have the honor to inform you that I have written, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary requesting him to arrange that tho Resident Magistrate's Court be forthwith removed to the Supreme Court building, and I. hope this -will bo arranged, in which case the present Resident, Magistrate's Court will bo at tho disposal of the Municipal Council. As soon as I hear in reply I Avill further communicate with your AVorship.—l have, Sec, J. D. Ormond, Superintendent." Tho above correspondence furnishes the title of the Corporation to its present offices, and it ought to have been held by the Government to bo a very good one. As tho case stands, hoAvevcr, it is no use going to law about tho matter ; besides which tho offices aro unsuitable and unsafe through the want of a strongroom.