SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 228, 24 September 1918, Page 6

SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS.

INTERESTING REMINISCENCES. The most picturesque building in Auckland is undoubtedly the Supreme Court. The -wonderful gargoyles in their hideous grote3quencss render this structure quite I unique in Australasia. It, happens that at the present time there is on a visit to Auckland Mr. William Bmce, now a Gisborne runholder, but who arrived in this city in 18(51 in the ship Helcnslie, which vessel brought 300 special settlers for I Pokcno, who were each granted a tenacre section of land. In course of conversation with a representative of the '"Auckland Star," Mr. Bruce said that the ! contract for the Supreme Court was let in I 1805. The architect was a Mr. Ramsey, and the successful tenderers were Alexander Amos and Co. "I was the clerk to the contractors," remarked Mr. Bruce. "Our firm had ihe option of using cither Bath or Oamaru stone, and it was fonnd cheaper to get the former in those days so that stone was imported. There was some trouble afterwards, as the climate affected the Bath stone, and caused it to coiTode. We had to coat it witii a sola- ! tion to protect it. I notice they have to j do a lot more in the direction of painting I since those days with cement The eonI tract was for £3.1,000 for the building alone I and there was a second tcjider for the I inside woodwork for £0000 to £7000." Mr. Bruce upset what has almost become a tradition in Auckland, namely, that the carvings were done by a pioneer. '•That is quite incorrect," he said. "Those gargolyes were the work of Mr. Teutenberg, who for many years afterwards had a shop in Welleslcy Street. East." Other j work done by the firm for which Sir. ' Bruee was cljrk was a GOO-loot jetty on the waterfront at (Jorc Street for the Harbour Board, and a breakwater oIT Fort Britonmrl. For the latter stone was got from both Bangitoto and Monnt Eden. Another jetty was also built, at Onehunga In those days to get the prisoners to work tobacco was planted so- that the rarai could find it. INo tobacco, no work, vras about the position. In 1868, Mr. Bnico returned to Glasgow, and remained at Home for twcnt\ • He came back in 1887, and • ■ started sheep farming in Gisborne, where 1 J he has resided ever since. fi