The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 909, 24 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1877.

The ceremony of to-day in connection with the Public Buildings marks an era in our onward progress. For some years past the necessity for the concentration of public offices so as to save the time of the .public, has been vividly apparent. And not only so, hut the temporary buildings have been of such a character as to place great obstacles in the way of the work of the departments being efficiently carried out by the officials. We need only refer to the Post office in proof of the truth of this. The utter inadequacy of this building to meet Abe growing requirements of the service, ha£ often been matter of comment. The Telegraph office is even more inconvenient, and although some attempts have been made to patch it up, the accommodation for the public is wretchedly insufficient. It will therefore he no slight boon to have commodious and

convenient offices for the transaction of business so situated that mercantile men can do their work in the several departments, without as now having to walk to different parts of the town. From various reasons the commencement of the buildings has been dcInyed, anditis mainly owing to the zeal

M’d energy displayed by the Chamber of Commerce, and more particularly the present chairman, Mr. Cunningham, that the work has been at last begun. He has worked with a will, and to the result, which this day has been inaugurated, his efforts contributed in no small degree. While speaking on the matter of public buildings, we cannot but refer once more to the pressingnecessity for a new Eesident Magistrate’s Court. As we before pointed out, the business of this department lias increased greatly of late years, and, with the accommodation now provided, it is utterly impossible to overtake the work. Now that the Grovernment are setting about housing the other departments respectably, we trust they will not leave the one we have referred to —which is equal in importance to any of the others—out in the cold. During the past week or so the war news from Europe has directed attention to the almost defenceless state of our harbours. We do not think, however,that the greatest alarmist could contemplate such a state of things as exists in Christchurch. It has been the custom as our readers are aware to (ire a royal salute on this auspicious day —a proceeding which could well be dispensed with by the citizens. But this year it has been omitted, and we hear for a very peculiar reason. The Christchurch artillery possess some very good guns, and are an efficient body of men, but no artillery corps can lire salutes without cartridges, and the number in stock just lacked one of the required salute. Therefore the honors usually accorded to her Majesty’s birthday, had to be omitted. But it is not alone this. Look at the feeling of insecurity which will be engendered when it is known that the services of the gallant artillerymen cannot be utilised in our defence, for the want of ammunition. We have been accustomed hitherto to sleep peacefully, with full reliance on the bravery of our especial defenders, the Christchurch Artillery. But now all this will vanish, and, until the ammunition arrives, we shall not feel safe from privateer visits.