UNKNOWN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11047, 26 February 1898, Page 3

UNKNOWN

T3 THE KDITOS. Sib,—Althongh a novice in the manner ol going about what I presume to suggest for consideration! promptly and with a practical busmesß effort, it has occurred to me that the present time wonld be fitting .to-ask the Government of the colony to do a gracious and useful act towards the citizens of Dunedin, and j indeed to the_ community of Otago, by remedyI ing for all time the great inconvenience that ia Bhifered through want of proper accommodation at the Chief Post Office and the ChieE Telegraph and Telephone Offices, all of which are some of the principal arteries of commerca and social well-being that cannot be done without, j The important business carried ca at the old Colonial Bank Buildings for the past two year* will, I have read in the newspapers, be finished very soon, when there will be further offices vacant in that huge and central pile of Oamara stone. To see such a site and such a building un« occupied, or nearly so, has a depressing ana damaging effect on the hearts and minds o£ paisera-by, who control themselves in a wondering and thoughtful attitude not compiimen* **7 *° *j?e Peeress of the city of Otaeo The building referred to was erected, ll m informed, originally fora post office—the very site for such a public convenience in a growing and progressive city such, ai Dunedin From what I have read politically, it seems to me that the whole property belongs indirectly—perhaps nearer directly-to the colony, and the aquisition of the same for a public purpose would only mean the sympathy and consent of tha Government and a couple of cross entries, debit and credit; and the country would not be one farthing the worse off save £1000 or £2000 in making the necessary alterations to adapt offices to several departments. In short, if the Jubilee Committee and citizens agree with my proposal, I wish them to bring sufficient pressure to bear, by petition oe otherwise, on the Eight Hoa. the Premier and his colleagues when visiting this city durine Jubilee 'time to induce them to secure the Bank Buildings—the Crown would then possess the whole block or equate,—to then adapt; them by a well-devised pUu for post, office, telegraph and telephone offices, public works offices, Ministerial chambers—ot which.there are none worthy of the name at present-and for any other purposes suitable m the service of the colony The present Post Office Buildings could then be devoted entirely to the law courts, resident maeistrutes, lands, ke. ~

The City of Dunedin has never had necessary conveniences in the snaps of pnblic offices conveniently and properly arranged. Otago has given the greatest revenue from its beginning to the public purse, so I have been told, and are the citizens to be expected always to make shift while other centres, I am informed, are looked after m a palatial manner in reepect to public buildings and public conveniences. Sir, I believe the community of Otago in represented by city members and country members of Parliament. Could they not ba asked to lend their influence if these lines ehould become popular. lam only a dreamer and have no influence myself .—I am, tc . February 25. Codntby Bumpkin.