Hastings.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5897, 31 July 1890, Page 3

Hastings.

[own coebkspondent.]

The R.M. Court site to-morrow (Fri' day).

Whether the warm reception offenders get at the hands of the local Justices strikes a wholesome terror in the hearts of lawbreakers or not, the Justices have had nothing to do lately, not even a solitary drunk. As you will have noticed the sura of £GOO has been placed on tho Estimates for a Courthouse here. A local quid nunc, howover propheoies that the prompitude with which tho same will disappear from tho Estimates will win tho admiration of everybody not interested in Hastings. However, for tho time being it is there, and like the £10,000 for tho Spit bridge, may disappoint somo of use by staying there. Of course, the fact of that amount being spent hero is welcome eneugh, and tho need for a Courthouse has been urged for some time, and I think I am right in saying that Mr Preece, K.M., has made special representations to the Government upon tho point. Thereforo, the chances of the sum being passed is strongly in its favor. The next point is that of the site. The expected position of it is in Avenue street, on a section where the first house, (or whare) was built in Hastings, known as Hick's whare, which is still standing there. Ie is supposed to be a Government reserve, although some stato that it has never been conveyed. Let that be as it may, the cite is unanimously condemned by every resident I have spoken to about it from its distance from ttie business part of tho town, and the police station. It is the second turning from the railway station on the Napier side, so that you will understand tho objection. Tho natural position for a Court-house is in railway street, close to tho police offices, wbcro there is abundant space on either side at present. It would not bo a desirabla thing to have to take all the books aud property, sometimes of a cumbrous nature, all that distance for the examinations before tho Court. Another point is fairly worth consideration, andthut is the unnecessary parade of accused persons on tho way to tho Court, through tho busiest part of the town, in tho busiest part of the day. I have no doubt that if this is brought before tho notice of tho Department, that it will be considered. If the money is to be spent tho Court-house may us well be placed where it will, at tho same time, greatly improve tho appearanco of the town, and meet tho convenience of thoso whoso business takes them there. I

While on tho subject of building-, I notice that tho carpnnters are at work on a largo new building for Mr D. Reilly close to tho railway station, and some additions to the Pacific Hotel. Likewise wo aro promised another pie shop, so that there may bo somo hope for Hastings after all.