OBJECTION TO ERECTING CENTRAL PRISON AT MOUNT COOK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2853, 17 May 1882, Page 2

OBJECTION TO ERECTING CENTRAL PRISON AT MOUNT COOK.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, May 17. A deputation of the Chamber or Commerce and other citizens waited on the Colonial Secretary this morning protesting against the erection of the central prison at Mount Cook, The arguments were that the principal of erecting penal gaols in large centres, was a bad one, and it was not followed elsewhere ; also that it would tend to depreciate the value of property in the neighborhood, and the site was too valuable for the purpose. The Hon. Mr Dick replied that the vote was passed last session for the erection of a penal establishment at Mount Cook, and he had allowed the matter to stand over till the last moment, until there was danger of die vote lapsing before the work was commenced. He had spoken to the editors of papers so that they might ascertain the public feeling, but no action had been taken on the part of the public. The people of Wellington had, it appeared, worked up in this, matter several months too late, Having gone so far, the Government were compelled to go on with the work. However, the deputation could get the City Members to move in the matter in Parliament. Mr Dick informed the deputation that the site in question had appeared on the Government maps as the site for the prison since 1841. The City Council took no action in the matter.