PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1913, Page 11

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

SOME BIG riGUK.ES. ciNSUKASTOE. AND FIRE LOSSES ifßy Teiesrajitu—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. . -In a irj.'ich of xefcuras presented, to Parliameirt i>y 'the Hon. ilr. Fraser, Mmieter of PuHic Works, a pod deal of information is given regarding the cost bf some of the Dominion's public ■buildfcngs, and the firtaire liabilities asd other feitares.

'An idea of tire-expense into- wiieh the country "was plunged, as a. xe&ult of B?aiiiainen± inildinge ■being destroyed by fire is given in a return, furnished to pie Hon. R. MeKenzie's motion. A little tover £14,000 has •been epeat on the Waptation of Goveiarment House for its purpose ac 3 legislative building, and i£4,981 txpon firmisiiiag and flfcting. If BHutdinga had bad to be rented for the (pnrpose it is estimated that £35,000 would have ihad io be paid since the lEre.

ißenovaithnis of the 'buildinge remaining on the old cite i«re cost £10,841, providing acentnodaiion. "worth an annual trental of £2,000.

As ioir tlie prop Deed IbuMiiig, ifcbe jliret portion is estimated to cost £110,COO to £130,000, acconSng to €he etone need- Alteraticois to gi-ounds £16^00; bnd jnrrchase "and street fwidenirrg , £15,-

The-total expenditure on new GaveraJnent Honee is £57.845 and famishing •5E6,222.

The total amount spent on public Mdingß from March, 1907, until MaTtsh, Ml 2 (according to a return obtained £y Mr. Wilkinson) ie £1,463,000, distributed as follows;— Wellington £284,---843, Auddand £240,156, Chr»tchirrc3i t£112,126, Danedin tJf all public buildings, including had been insured against fire Huring ihe ten yeaie ended 29th Auguet 1912, the premiums •would'haveamoujited to £300,000. This return, which vas Secured on Mr. Myers-' motion, snows itlm* the 'Public Wortos Department eetitmates the ■ -oeses by fire during that fenod to hire amounted approximately p> -£100,000.