THE NEW POST OFFICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 155, 1 July 1911, Page 9

THE NEW POST OFFICE.

RAPID PROGRESS BEING MADE. The contractors for the new General Post Office, Messrs J. and W. Jamieson, Limited, have been making remarkable progress with the work of late, and expect to hand over the building to its occupants well -within the specified time — that is, about the middle of January next. A certain delay was experienced at starting through an alteration in .the plans, and on two occasions a shortage of Oamaru stone for the street front has practically suspended operations, rendering it impossible to do much to the side and back walls for some weeks at a stretch. At present, however, the contractors have sufficient stone on 'hand to complete the .building, and only two more shipments are required for the two archways leading to the railway station. The walls of the building are now complete, and the construction of the two flanking towers has got as far as the upper cornice of each, leaving little more tihan the domes to be added. As soon as the towers are complete the two cranes used for lifting stove will be removed, allowing the few remaining yards of the roof to be covered. This will enable the work of fitting up the interior to be pushed on apace. The south and east walls are now almost covered with stucco, and a start is being made with the north wall. "Malthoiii," a patent

covering, has been applied to the extensive flat roof, which will make an excellent tennis court for the employees, and has, in addition, the advantage of making an extra storey possible if such should be necessary at some future time. Already the plumbers and drainlayers have commenced operations, and a start is being made with installing the furnaces •and hot water system. The window frames and sashes, which are of steel, have be-en in place for several months, and on the arrival of a shipment of glaai the work of glazing will be put in hand. Only the floor joists throughout the building are in place at present, as it has been impossible to lay down th.2 boards until the roof is watertight. A brief description of the intern il arrangements of the new post office may be of interest. The Lusement is given over largely to the parcels department, and the storerooms, diningrooms, kitchen, boiler room, and battery room will also be found there. In the centre of llu ground floor is the public room, readied from the central portico, nnd lighted from an unusually large well running tluoifJ all the floors above. A liandsouiolyglazed cupola will be let into the tu.ling, and there will also be five smali r lights of circular shape. 'I'jie counter will extend round three sides of llu room, and will have a length of übout

170 feet, given up to the delivery, inquiry, registered letter, telegraph, and money order branches. Stamps will ba sold at n, small circular counier in the centre, and desks will be placed uround this and also around some of the supporting columns. On the same floor will be the mail room (140 ft x 50ft), money order and savings bank office, and private -boxes lobby. The first floor ■will contain the operating room, lettarcarriera' room, rooms for clerics an-1 messengers, and the chief postmaster's office. Various railway offices will fill the second floor, while the fourth, or top floor, is yet undivided, as it is uncertain whether the telephone exchange will bo removed, there or to .the new. posb_pffic.a in Wellesley-strcet. ' .