THE DEEDS OFFICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 9

THE DEEDS OFFICES.

POOR ACCOMMODATION.

"DISGRACE TO AUCKLAND."

VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN.

The unsatisfactory state of the Auckland Stamps and Deeds Offices was commented npon in terms of displeasure by several members of ( the Chamber of Commerce at a meeting of the council yesterday afternoon. The chairman (Mr. S J Nathan) remarked that the matter had been exercising the minds of many prominent business men of late, and 'it was universally considered that it was high time the Government did something practical to terminate the present condition of affairs. He described the present accommodation for deeds as being totally inadequate, and the building 'as being quite an insecure place for their safe keeping. It was thus easily understood that the staff was working under great difficulties. Moreover, it was not only desirable, but also proper, that the Survey Department and the Stamps and Deeds Department should be housed in the same building, as in carrying documents through the streets as at pressnt from one Department to the other there was a great risk of their being lost or stolen, or even tampered with. Over a year ago a. deputation to the Minister for Justice had been promised immediate attention tr their needs, but beyond a few patchy alterations nothing had as yet been done. Repairs were absolutely no use, and what was required wag ft new building in fitting proportion to the importance of its use.

Mr. Graves Aickin considered that for a city the size of Auckland it was a disgrace that such a great number of valuable documents should be kept in such a dirty, dilapidated building, Other Departments had teen looked after, while this bad been wholly neglected Another member of the council said that as- an instance he had been told only that morning by a well-known solicitor that the accommodation for deeds was in such a state of chaos that valuable portion of deeds, such as plans, were often absolutely destroyed for lack of spa- 3 111 winch to put them. «J« was decided that the urgency cf the matter should be immediately impressed on the Government, and that on the nrst opportunity a deputation should wait on the Minister for Justice.