GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 232, 8 March 1875, Page 3

GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON.

The New Zealand Times in a paragraph with reference to the New Government buildings to be erected on the reclaimed land, says:—Under ordinary circumstances a sketch of the building would have been supplied in these columns, but the magnitude of the structure, the intricacy of the plans, and their labyrinth of details, preclude the possibility of supplying a description which would convey an adequate idea of its appearance and extent, or do justice to Mr Clayton's plans. These plans (twenty in number) far surpass any previous architectural effort in this colony, looked at simply from the draughtsman's point of view. As a matter of fact the set would form an excellent study for the architectural student, yet they show very clearly, even to the lay observer, that when completed, the New Zealand Government Buildings will compare with any in the coloniesforperfection and compactness of arrangement. The extent of ground covered by the block will be about 310 ft by 130 f t; three storeys above the basement giving a fine elevation, each flat or floor being of considerable height. The main building will provide accommodation for Customs, Telegraph, Stamp, and other departments, Ministers' offices, Cabinet Council room, and a host of other offices which cannot be enumerated, but the wings will be occupied exclusively by the Treasury department in the north and the Public Works department in the south. The north wing is to be ready for occupation by the end of next November, and the contract is to be hastened on with such expedition that the whole work will be completed in May, 1876, thus occupying a period of fifteen months. In correction of a former statement, it may be mentioned that the total amount of the contract is £24,685.