CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5755, 28 February 1884, Page 3

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Iβ will be recollected, a lengthened description was given some little time back of the very handsome block of buildings intended to be erected by Mr Fredk. Hobbs, jon., from plans drawn by Messrs Armson, Collins, and Lloyd. On Friday, Feb. 14, an important step in the work waa taken,inthe shape of the laying of the corner-Btone. The ceremony was performed by the eldest son of Mr Hobbs, who, in a thoroughly work-man-like manner, deolaredit well and truly laid. At the invitation of Mr Hobbs the gentlemen presentontheoccaaionadjournGd to the Commercial Hotel to drink success to the enterprise. His Worship the Mayor, in proposing "Success to the new building," said that in these days of depression and general croaking, it was quite refreshing to find a man like Mr Hobbs, of enterprise and spirit, having that amount of faith in the future of the City of Christchurch. It was the absence of that spirit and that independence amongst them which made their city, instead of taking, as it ought to do, first rank in title matter of commercial buildings, second to Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. He hoped the enterprise upon which Mr Hobbs had entered would be a successful one, and that 'ere long they would see Christchurch taking the position properly belonging to her—that of the premier city of New Zealand. Mr Hobbs, in responding, thanked hie Worship and the gentlemen present for their kindly wishes towards him. His faith in the future of Christchurch had never been shaken, as they would see when he told them that the building would cost £10,000, which, with fittings, &c, would come tonearlyjei2 000 before it was finished. It would be a very handsome elevation, and be an ornament to the city. He would now ask them to drink the health of the contractors, Messrs Qreig and Hunter. These gentlemen had been spoken of by the City Surveyor as one of the most straightforward firms of contractors he had had to deal with. Mr Gbeto briefly returned thanks and the proceedings terminated.