DEBATES AND DANCES

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 134, 9 June 1919, Page 8

DEBATES AND DANCES

A ROOM WITH A HISTORY,

Carpenters are now engaged dismantling and altering the ballroom of old Government House, which for thirteen sessions was the temporary chamber of the House of Representatives. The room can make some claim to have a history, for within its walls most of the momentous decisions affecting New Zealand's part' in the Great War have received the sanction of the people's representatives." Parliament Buildings were burnt down on ,11th December, 1907, and His Excellency the Governor, when he congratulated' New Zealand upon its elevation to the status of a Dominion at the commencement of the 1908 session, had,also to express his regret at the disaster which had deprived the House of its regular pldce of assembly. The House continued to meet in the old chamber for six sessions under the Premiership of Sir Joseph Ward. Then there were three sessions of the Reform Government—still in the temporary home—and when the National Government faced the members of Parliament they were still on the temporary benches. The removal into permanent quarters came with the commencement of the fifth National Government session. Since that time the old chamber has remained unfurnished, but otherwise untouched. Occasionally it has been used for the reception of big deputations; but now it is being pulled to pieces, and will provide space for offices which are badly needed. , --: ;