The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 626, 21 June 1876, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1876.

After all that has been said and written regarding the wretched condition of the public buildings in Christchurch, it would be waste of time and space to enlarge upon that question now. It is admitted, on all sides, that we are worse ‘off in this respect than any town of importance in the colony. The building, _ by courtesy, designated a Post Office, is a most wretched hole, and totally unsuited to the work to be performed in it. Since it was first occupied for its presentpurpose,the business transacted in it has increased enormously ; but, beyond a few paltry additions and alterations, no facilities whatever have been provided since, for the proper performance of this increase! work. It is unfair, not only to the public, but to the officers of the department, that such a state of things should be allowed to continue. The latter, especially, may justly complain that, in forcing them to do their work under such disadvantageous circumstances, they are being asked to do more than the public have a right to expect. It is true that, notwithstanding these drawbacks, the duties of the department are performed to the thorough satisfaction of all; but it can only be so, by greatly overtaxing the energies of the officers. We have said enough to show the urgent necessity which exists for the speedy erection of a new Post Office. The same remarks apply, more or less, to all the buildings used for General Government purposes: not only are they, as a rule, utterly unfit for the uses to which they are applied, but they are so scattered about the city, in all sorts of out-of-the-way places, as to cause great inconvenience to those wishing to transact business in them. These facts have been pointed out over and over again, and one or two half-hearted attempts made to remedy the evil. Sums of money have been placed on the Provincial 'Government estimates, during several successive years, as a contribution towards the cost ot erecting public buildings, but, from some cause or another, the General Government wex’e never in a position to take advantage of the vote. Latterly, not only has the vote been removed from the estimates, but the Provincial Executive appear to have shown a disinclination to assist in any form, highly characteristic of them when dealing with the municipalities of the province. During last session of Parliament a sum of £14,000 was placed

on the colonial estimates for public buildings in Christchurch, and, shortly afterwards, an effort was made to have the buildings proceeded with at once. The Chamber of Commerce took up the question, and several communications passed between the Chairman and the Grovernmeut, the result being the announcement that the Colonial Grorernraeut were prepared to expend the sura of £14,000 in erecting a portion of the proposed pile. Unfortunately some diflicu 1 ty arose as to the site. The Provincial Executive, true to their obstructive instincts, refused to grant the one west of the Cathedral, or to expend a paltry £4OOO in purchasing an additional quarter acre adjoining the site in the south-west quarter of the square. The consequence is that nothing whatever has been done in the matter. In a few days the vote will have lapsed, and the chances are greatly against its being renewed during the present session ; if it is it will only be at the urgent request of the citizens. We would, therefore, suggest that his Worship the Mayor be asked to convene a public meeting to discuss the question, and urge upon our city representatives the importance of using every endeavour to have the necessary sum placed on the estimates.