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Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1743, 5 March 1874, Page 2

The reports of the proceedings of the Provincial Council published in the Hokitika papers are so absolutely meagre that one hardly knows what is going on. We are not aware whether it has occurred to the common sense of the Council that the institution known as "Government House" ought to be solemnly swept away, but we presume that it only requires attention to be drawn to the subject to ensure the conversion of "Government House" into a school or some other thing of public advantage. The maintenance of this establishment is very absurd, there is no such thing as an official residence for the Superintendent in any other Province of New Zealand, and it is an exceptional institution that ought to bo extinguished as soon as possible— or else charge the Superintendent, if he chooses to live there, a fair rent for the occupation of the premises. We are astonished that the popularity-hunting proclivities of the Hon. J. A. Bonar did not induce him to make a little extra cheap capital out of this matter. What hudos he would have secured if in his inaugural address the Superintendent had said : " Gentlemen, I cannot consent to ape vice-royalty at the cost of the public. Personally, I would rather not live in an official residence, but as I am compelled to do so I propose to pay the Province a fair rental for the premises." But, seriously, it is time that the costly toy known as " Government House " was got rid of. There is no necessity for it whatever, and probably the only protest against its being done away with would come from the Judge of the Supremo Court, who supposes that he is to be specially provided for by the Westland Government. The Judge has no more right to expect special and free quarters than any other person. Judges have to find their own accommodation in other places, and why should Westland be an exception. Besides, the whole thing is ridiculous, and we expect to find that the Superintendent will himself take steps in the direction of utilising the premises of "Government House" for purposes of public advantage.