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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

[introduction]

The first buildings erected in Blenheim for the purposes of the public service were built in Market Place in the year 1864, by the Provincial Council of Marlborough. They were, however, totally destroyed by fire in November, 1876, on the night following the day on which the abolition of the provinces came into force; but they were soon replaced by the present building, which stands on the same site and was erected by the Government. The building is of two stories, built of concrete, and is surmounted by a handsome clock tower. Nearly all of the Government offices, except the Roads and Bridges Department, which is in Picton, are domiciled in the building, which also accommodates the Blenheim Borough Council. The rooms are large and lofty, well lighted and ventilated, and suitably appointed in every case.

Blenheim has been intimately associated with a number of important public works. For instance, it was connected with Nelson by telegraph in the year 1864; the Cook Strait cable, connecting the North Island and the Middle Island, was laid to White's Bay in 1866; the railway from Picton to Blenheim was started in 1861, opened in 1875, and extended to Seddon twenty-five years later. This line is now being carried on to Flaxbourne—or, as it has recently been re-named, Ward;—and ultimately it will connect with the main south trunk line. Some details concerning the New Zealand Government institutions are given on Page 55 of this volume; but as Blenheim is an agricultural town, it may not be out of place to make further reference here to the Advances to Settlers Department. Up to the 31st of March, 1905, 15,349 applications for loans had been granted for the whole colony; total value £5,042,555. Of this amount, the share that was applied for in, and granted to, Marlborough, was £184,065. The work of settlement has been helped by this provision, land has been enhanced in value by expending in improvements part of the money borrowed, while the borrowers begin at once to lighten their liability by means of early periodical payments of the principal along with the interest.