PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 322, 7 February 1844, Page 2

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

We are leJ to speak of these places which will be, from the fact of his Excellency's generosity in granting sites for their erection to every public body who have made application for the same ; and in order to do Capt. Fitzroy justice, we will commence with the most prominent and praiseworthy of the institutions.

Mechanics' Institute. — A site for this useful and desirable building had been granted to the inhabitants prior to the arrival of our new Governor ; but he, with a kindliness of purpose highly creditable to himself, offered to place at the disposal of the Committee a plot of ground nearly as large again; so that the children educated in the school of the Institute might have some, place to amuse themselves in during their play hours. This benevolent intention however could not be accomplished, owing to the remainder of the Government land being in such a position as would have placed the institution in a back part of the town, instead of being as it will be, on the present site, central. The original grant, therefore, was retained. We have before alluded to the benefits derivable from Mechanics' Institutes, and it

would be a great satisfaction to us to see abuilding worthy of the town and its energetic inhabitants, erected on the spot so generously granted to the public from the Government. And at the same time we may state, that a Building Committee is at the present moment canvassing for the obtainment of subscriptions, either in cash, material, or labour. We trust, therefore, the working classes will not be backward, and that the edifice will in a great measure owe its erection to those who have been stigmatized by a few of the gentlemen of the place as lukewarm and careless in so good a cause.

Teetotahers. — This body presented a memorial to his Excellency, -praying for a piece of land on which to erect a hall for the purposes of their society, and Capt. Fitzroy immraediately compliod with the request ; expressing himself also highly favorable to their principles.

Britannia Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Independent Odd Feilows. — This society, whose benevolent doctrines are now circulated in every part of the globe, presented an address to his Excellency, congratulating him on his safe arrival at this settlement. Capt. Fitzroy stated that hs was fully acquainted with the benefits arising from such a body, and after asking the deputation several times very courteously if he could do any thing for the lodge, cordially gave them a site on which to erect a hall — and which we ourselves trust will be the signal for the formation of branch lodges thro' the islands of New Zealand.

These buildings, we suppose, will speedily be begun, and on the Government side we are to have a Court-house and Barracks almost immediately, besides others which we may now anticipate.

Altogether, it will have the effect of giving employment, and in conjunction with the survey of the New Edinburgh settlement, will more than take off all the hands at present unemployed in this town and neighbourhood.

In the above list we have not mentioned the churches and chapels. Sites for four or five different sects have however been portioned off, and most of them have already commenced operations. The Wesleyans, with that spirit of co-operation which generally animates their body, have set to work right merrily; and we expect their chapel will soon be numbered among the Public Buildings of Wellington.