The Globe. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 675, 18 August 1876, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876.

The question of the erection of Public Buildings in Christchurch is one of more than ordinary importance; not alone from the mere fact of a certain block of buildings as such being erected in the city, but from the great public convenience which will be afforded by the centralization of the G-overnraent departments under one roof. Unfortunately for some reason or other the carrying into effect of this very desirable plan has been long delayed. A great deal of correspondence has passed, but at last we.are<glad to say there appears to be a chance of something practical being done. The Provincial Grovernment have added to the quarter acre site already presented by them an area of equal extent, which will afford a very good site for the proposed block of public buildings. The position chosen —Cathedral Square —is central, and in every way suited for the proposed purpose. It is not our intention now to enquire as to whose fault it has been, that the erection of these necessary buildings has been so long delayed. This would be at the best a distasteful task. We rather desire on the present occasion to congratulate ourselves upon at last there being a probability of a practical outcome in the shape of the long looked for Public Buildings. To this desirable end no body has more materially assisted than the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. They have persistently urged the matter upon the Grovernment; by means of telegrams, deputations, and letters, they have kept alive the agitation on the subject, until at last there appears a gleam of hope that the buildings will actually be commenced. In this good cause the re-elected chairman of the Chamber of Commerce has been a zealous worker. Indeed we owe a great deal of the success to his endeavours. He, during his term of office, has never lost sight of the importance of this subject, and it is a matter for congratulation that his, efforts have not been in vain. The Provincial Government having purchased the adjoining section to the one already set apart for the purpose, the great difficulty which has been in the way has been removed. It now only remains for the General Government to do its part. We trust that no delay will be allowed to elapse in the calling for tenders for the erection of these offices. No one who has much business to do with the various Government departments in this city will disagree with us when we say that at present their scattered condition is productive of great inconvenience. Instead of having to go to two or three different portions of the city to transact matters of business connected with the Greneral Government departments one ought to be able to do them all under one roof. By this means not only would great public convenience be experienced, but business would be expedited by the concentration of the whole Governmental staff into one place. In saying this we are stating what is a generally accepted fact, but we merely reiterate it to show the necessity which exists for prompt action in this matter. There now is no excuse for delay; the site is ready, and all that remains to be done is to decide upon the plans and call for tenders. That we are enabled even to state that matters are in this forward stage is due in a great measure to the’chairman and members of the Chamber of Commerce, who certainly deserve the best thanks, not alone of the mercantile community, but of the province at large for the their unwearied efforts in this direction.