NEW ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 257, 5 November 1897, Page 2

NEW ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

, The Chairman of the Harbour Board has addressed the following letter to the Premier on the above subject:—The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier: Sir, —I beg to ask that you will take the necessary steps to have a new house erected at Auckland as a place of residence for His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Australasian Station. For some time past it has been apparent to the local bodies and the general public of Auckland that the old Admiralty House from its surroundings, owing to the city's advance, its age, dilapidated condition and general ■ nnsmtability, would not again be used by the Admiral, and accordingly a movement was set on foot by the Harbour Board and City Council to endeavour to have provided a new and suitable house. Both bodies have how agreed upon a plan for the purpose which I now have the honour to submit for the consideration of the Government. 1. The Auckland Harbour Board and Auckland City Council will provide, free of cost, a suitable site opposite the man-o'-war anchorage, a plan of which site I enclose herewith. The bodies referred to own but two-thirds of the area shown on plan, but could get a partition cutting oft the other third. As, however, the Assets Board owns the other third, the Government might, at a small price, acquire that one-third also, and thus leave the block of land intact, and it would even then be none too large. 2. The Government sell the present old Admiralty House, which would realise £1,500 to £2,000. 3. The Government to then erect a new house for the Admiral on the new site at a cost.of £3,000, and furnish the same at a cost of £1,000. The proceeds of the sale of the old Admiralty House would thus have to be supplemented by only the small sum of £2,000, for -which you could get a vote from Parliament. I would respectfully point out that Auckland is now the official Imperial naval station for New Zealand, and that a house foi the Admiral is an absolute necessity. The Auckland Harbour Board is providing every facility within its means for the convenience of Her Majesty's navy, and is now givino* up its share of the valuable piece ol land above referred to, as is also the Auckland City Council. Under these circumstances, I venture to hope that you will comply with the request embodied herein, and cause the erection of the new house to be proceeded with without unnecessary delay. I should he glad if you would instruct the architect entrusted with the work to confer with me as to the plan, as I have a good deal of information as to the

rooms, etc., required. I would suggest I that Mr R. Mackay Fripp, architect, of | Auckland, be appointed to draw plans of & and carry out the work.—l have, etc., W.