LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1778, 14 October 1862, Page 3

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

As a tangible evidence of the advancing prosperity of Wellington, we have much pleasure in recording an interesting ceremony which took place on Thursday, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the New Building on Lambton-quay, intended for the future Supreme Court. The scene of operations was gaily decorated with flags, and shortly before two o'clock, a guard of honor took up a position on the ground, which by this time, despite the almost blinding clouds of dust, was densely crowded with spectators. Aftera few minutes patient waiting his Excellency and suite arrived and were received by Messrs. Woodward, Brandon' Schultze, and other gentlemen counected witb the Provincial Government. A group having been formed near the triangle, consisting of those parties, aud Mr. Marriott beariug the plate, trowel, and coins, on an elegant crimson cushion, the proceedings commenced by Mr. Carter, in a few appropriate remarks, presenting the plans, after wbich Mr. Woodward handed his Excellency the silver trowel. The coins, and vellum copy of the inscription were then deposited in a recess in the lower stone which was covered by the plate, and his Excellency having spread the mortar in a workmanlike style the upper stone was carefully lowered and declared by the vice-regal mason to be well and truly laid. After the ceremony had beeu thus far concluded, Sir George Grey said that be felt under an obligation to the Provincial Government for permitting him to lay the foundation of a building to be appropriated to the administration of the laws of the colony. He trusted that New Zealand would always possess able meu as Judges of its Supreme Court, and it was bis hope that at no distant day those Judges would all be men selected from amongst the colonists. He believed that New Zealand would produce Judges in no way inferior to those whose learning, ability, and integrity rendered them conspicuous in the Home Country, and tbat around tbem would be raised a bar from the sons of the colonists, every way fitted to adorn their profession. Such was his hope' and in the wish that it might be realised, those whom he then addressed would, he was sure, heartily join. Three cheers having then been given for his Excellency, the assembly dispersed. The following was the inscription on the plate — This Foundation Stone of a Building dedicated to the Administration of Justice, containing Courts for the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and for the Resident Magistrate of Wellington, was laid by His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor of the Colony, on October 9, A.D. 18G2, Supreme Court. — His Honor A. J. Johnston. Esq., Senior Puisne Judge ; R. R. Strang, Esq., Registrar ; H. St. Hill, Esq., Sheriff and Resident Magistrate. Provincial Executive. — I. E. Featherston Esq., Superintendent; J. Woodward, Esq., Pro^ vincial Treasurer and acting Provincial Secretary ; W. Fitzherbert, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands ; A. De B. Brandon, Esq.. Provincial Solicitor; C.R.Carter, Esq., Architect; J. Gell, Builder; engraved, J. H. Marriott. • On tho Trowel was engraved the following, inscription — Presented to Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor of New Zealand and its dependencies, as a memento of the laying the first stone of the Supreme Court in the City of Welling ton> on October 9, 1862. The above has been most elaborately engraved by Mr. Marriott.