THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2010, 3 August 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1880.

Despite the fact that the ratepayers declined to sanction the raising of any money to carry out the magnificient designs submitted for municipal buildings, we think the Council have cause to congratulate themselves upon thenchange of quarters. It is true they are not lodged in one of those gorgeous apartments which were evolved from the vivid imaginations of the competitors when the plans wore called for, but still they have a comfortable chamber, amply adequate for their purposes, at a small cost. That it is also adapted for purposes of festivity was proved last evening, when his Worship extended the hospitality of the city to about sixty gentlemen. Nor alone this; but the officers are now so placed as to be enabled to discharge their duties with comfort to themselves and credit to the ratepayers, and this in itself is no unim-

portant gain. We doubt whether much more, practically, could have been gained had the palatial edifice contemplated been erected. The Council, therefore, we think, though perhaps at the time feeling sore that their schemes were rejected, have now in reality attained their end, though in a different way to what they anticipated. What they required was increased accommodation for the officers, the members of the Council, and the ratepayers. To obtain this they proposed to spend a very large sum of money, adding somewhat to the already very heavy rates imposed. The public, however, declined to accede to this, and now the Council has a hall quite suited to its present circumstances, the the officers are provided with decent apartments for the transaction of business, and the cost has been under £2OO. We are not, of course, saying that in time even the present building will suffice for our wants. But it is good enough for the time being, until wo have tided over the present season of depression. It is to bo hoped that, by the time the necessity arises for an increase still further in the extent of our municipal offices, we shall bo in such a position as will enable us, with justice, to meet the requirements of the city. In conclusion, a tribute of praise is due to the City Surveyor for the admirable manner in which, with the small amount of money at his disposal, ho has discharged a very onerous task.

There was one remark made by Mr. Garrick at the dinner given by the Mayor last night which deserves more than passing notice. It was to this effect : that the Legislature of Now Zealand, in the struggles for power which continually take place, entirely lose sight—or nearly so —of the necessity which exists for social legislation. There is a groat deal of truth in this remark, and it is truth which comes homo to every one of us, because social legislation affects the interests of all far more intimately than that which we may call purely political. It is true that in nearly every session measures are introduced of a social character, but, alas! they drag through the weary length of the session, each day receding further down the order paper, until the massacre of the innocents’ arrives, and they are swept away. Many points of vital interest to the general public, to which public attention has been directed as subjects for legislation have been overlooked iu the party fights which now so regularly take place whenever Parliament meets. Let us hope with Mr. Garrick that the time is not far distant when these will cease to a large extent, and tho Legislature apply itself to dealing with the many social questions which require its attention.