The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 891, 3 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1877.

The long-talked of public buildings are at last fairly started, and no doubt the public generally, and the mercantile community in particular, have cause for congratulation. But while this is so, we would desire to draw attention to the urgent necessity that exists for a suitable habitation beingprovided for a most important branch of the public service. We allude to the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The building in which it is held, and the arrangements generally—the best however that can be made under such circumstances —are alike a disgrace to a city of such pretentious as this. The business of the Court, both criminal and civil, is increasing very largely every day, and yet this has to be transacted in a collection of dilapidated, ill-ventilated rooms. The utter absence of any convenience for carrying on business expeditiously and effectively must add doubly to the work of the officers of the department. Indeed, it is matter for surprise that they are enabled, in such a wretched building, to keep pace with the work imposed upon them. But not alone are the officials —the Resident Magistrate included —incommoded and inconvenienced by the complete absence of all accommodation, but the public suffer. Atiy one having business at the Court has to wind through a labyrinth of dark and evil-smelling passages, upon which a number of hutches dignified by the name of offices open. Unless the enquirer be tolerably familiar with the mysteries of the place, the chances are that some time will be lost ere he can discover where the official he wants to consult is located. Of the Court itself what can be said, except that in summer it is a small edition of the Black Hole of Calcutta, and in winter almost Arctic in its coldness and draughtiness. It certainly does seem high time that the local Court should have at least a decent habitation. The present building was erected in the earliest days of the settlement; indeed, we believe that for some time it was the only one in the then embryo City of Christchurch. It is utterly and entirely unsuited to the purpose for Avhich it is now occupied, and is a scandal to us as a city. Let us, therefore, express a hope that the Grovernment will lose no time in providing a building for the Court which shall alike be a suitable one, and commodious for the public.

The relations between coroners and juries is likely to be brought prominently forward shortly, in connection Avith the recent enquiry at the Lunatic Asylum. Sever.il of the jury are dissatisfied alike with the manner in Avhieh the enquiry was conducted, and the official record of their rider censuring the hospital authorities. In the first place it is contended that the evidence of the hospital authorities should have been taken. But here the coroner, in answer to questions from the jury, stated that their duty Avas simply to enquire into the cause of death. The jurymen Avere not aware of the procedure in such cases, or they might have requested the coroner to adjourn the enquiry for the production of the evidence they required, and he Avould have been bound to do so. That they Avould have taken tins course if they had known they had the poAver, avc are assured by several of them Avho are thoroughly dissatisfied with the Avhole enquiry. Indeed, so much so that they intend publicly to bring the matter forward, Avith a vieAV to a further investigation. It is also alleged that the official entry of their rider is somewhat different to what they wished, and does not convey that amount of censure on the Hospital authorities it Avas intended to do. Whether this is so or not we cannot say, _ biit such is the statement. As it is probable the Avhole matter will be ventilated more fully by the jurymen themselves in a feAV days, Ave Avill make no comment at present except to say that the whole affair appears to have been a peculiar one.

\Yj.; w ish only to refer to the fact that the lithographed plans of Mr. Carruthers’ scheme are now ready for issue. The ratepayers Avill thus he able to judge for themselves ; but as we have already said, it would he much better to postpone the commencement of any scheme until the spring. The Drainage Board will meet next week, and we suppose after a lapse of time to consider the plans the deputation will convene another meetin«-. We commend the consideration of our suggestion to both parties.