A WELLINGTON REMINISCENCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, February 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 39

A WELLINGTON REMINISCENCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, February 17.

The demolition ot the front wing of Parli*. ment Buildings, which la now proceeding apace, carries the minds of old idantities back to th» time when the foundation stone of this part of the building, which was intended to shelter both Houses of Parliament, was laid with some pomp in the month of March, 1857. Stress waa laid on the fact that Wellington bore the whole cost of the work, which came to £9000. Tho journalist of that time waxes poetical over " The Tinakori Hill glowing in the afternoon light of an exquisite day— an excellent sample of the fine and enjoyable weather so characteristic of the south of New Zealand." It muit have been a picturesque scene. The Oddfollows lined the road on either side, the band of the regiment blarsd out cheery music, the fathers of the city headed by the Superintendent (Dr Featherston) made an ; imposing procession, and on a cushion was ■ borne by the pergeant-at-arras the lithographic plate which was to be laid under the foundation stone. Across the road rose " the Gothic pile of the cathedral," and a motley crowd had gathered to watch the ceremony. "Blue Bhirbed vi&ifcors From the country mingled with the broad-clothed town residents, and the ladies' dresses and the gay uniforms made up a tout ensemble which our grey goose quill would fail to portray." Such is the enthusiastic description in the yellowing pageß of the old Wellington Independent. After, the laying of the foundation stone the band struck up the National Anthem, the three vessels in porb fired salutes, and under the " fugleship " (as the reporter quaintly puts it) of Mr Clifford, Speaker of the Provincial Council and House of Representatives, three hearby cheers were given for the superintendent. In the course of the speeches much pleasure was expressed over the beautiful position of the building, which wbb the site of an old reservoir. In February, 1853, the building was ready for occupation, and the conbractoi was complimented on the despatch and perfection of hifc work, "notwithstanding," the paper adds quaintly, "that the breaking out of the gold diggings must have interfered with his contract and rendered it scarcely remunerative," and in these times human nature was as weak as it is now, for we read that so great was the noise in the crowded strangers' galleries that the speeches of the hon. members were at times inaudible. I have been bold by an eyewitness that it was no uncommon sight to see a hon. member in a characteristic British attitude with hands in trouser pockets standing in front of one of the two open fireplaces and deliver his speech in that fres and easy way.