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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4972, 28 February 1877, Page 2

It would be interesting to know who is responsible for allowing the erection of , the miserable shanties which are being huddled together on the new reclaimed land extending from Pipitea Point into the very heart of the city. To one spot has been removed an old shed, : which after doing duty on Lambtonquay as a shoemaker's shop for many years became so dilapidated that it could scarcely hang together. Close to this is a three-stalled stable, and on the other side of the Government Buildings have been erected a couple of skillions., A few yards distant a contractor has located a depot for surplus material, and. he is now. busily engaged in carting on to the section all the refuse of finished contracts. The lout etisenible is striking, and quite sufficient to. justify unfavorable comments by visitors on the appearance of central Wellington. In a well - regulated town the building surveyor would put a stop to the erection of such unsightly buildings, but here building regulations seem to be a nullity. Possibly the surveyor may be unable'to act in this particular case, but this is not the only instance of the kind, for in many parts of the city shanties have been huddled together as if the one aim and desire was to create hotbeds of fever and contagious diseases. Returning to, the. reclaimed land, we may mention that it is stated there is no power to prevent the contractor leasing the land till the time arrives when he shall hand over the completed contract. Although this is not at all clear to us, it may be pointed out that there are rumors of an extension of time to be asked for, and in the event of such being the case, not the slightest consideration should be shown until all the rubbishy collection of huts are cleared off the land.