The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1900. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 94, 2 May 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1900. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Thb advocates of the rival sites for the local Post can now bury their differences of opinion, and neither can crow over the other. The whole excitement has fizzled out, : and it now matters not one iota whether anyone had an axe to grind or not, for the Government have solved the knotty point by maintaining the status quo ante helium. The result may be disappointing except to those who pinned their faith on the beatitude of expectation, yet it is not unexpected. From the first it was felt that the Government would not acquire a new site by purchase, as they already possessed space for extension on the present site, Admitting that removal to a central position would have been a benefit, tbe cost involved would have made it a luxury, and therefore no just reason exists for blaming the PostmasterGeneral for the decision arrived at, In all probability, had there been no difference of opinion as to the most appropriate site, the result would have been the same. The mistake was made in the first instance by fixing on the present out-of-the-way site, and non we have got to put up with it. II is to be hoped, however, that ir designing the extensions the sole aiir will not be to build more rooms regard less of architectural appearances and the possibility of disfiguring the town If judiciously handled, there isno reasoi why the present conventional-looking structure should not be treated in ai artistic manner, and with the aid of ai imposing clock-tower be, if not a thing of beauty, yet a long way from offend iug the eyes of all that pass that way It is to be hoped that before finally deciding on the plans the Governmen' will not only take steps to ensure thathe elevation, at least, is suitable anc acceptable to the municipal authorities but also that the drainage system b< properly arranged. If the process o: proceeding with the plans is net of to( long a character, there may be some o us who stand a chance of living to sei the work completed, and possibly th< offices sufficiently and adequately staffec to carry on public business without th< discomforts and inconveniences witl which we have for too long growi familiar.