STATE ARCHITECTURE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13231, 26 September 1908, Page 10

STATE ARCHITECTURE.

DISCUSSION IN THE UPPER HOUSE.

(special to "the rnr?s. ? ') •■' WELLINGTON, September 25. A'rather lively debate took place m tho Legislative Council this afternoon on the following motion, which had been placed on tho Order Paper by th© Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald:— "That it is advisable in tho best interests of tho peoplo of tho Dominion that competitive designs should be invited' from architects for ail buildings required to be erected by tho State of the value of £3000 and over; as not only would the opportunity of employing such designs be a great incentive to the younger men of tho profession, but greatly add to the beauty and economy connected with tho buildings required for carrying on tho work of tho State." , , To illustrate tho need for such a step on tho part of the Government, Mr Macdonald exhibited the sketch plan for a new vice-regal residence, as recently submitted to tho Parliamentary Buildings Committee, and said that if bis Excellency had seen the plan, that would quite- sufficiently account for his recont outburst against NewZealand architecture. Proceeding, ho denounced the buildings erected by tho Government throughout the Dominion as "machinc-liko in fashion, lacking design, lacking originality and all the qualities which they ought to havo. ' The country should at once set itself to tho task of getting something moro beautiful in the way of publio buildTho Hon. Captain Baillio seconded the motion, and adversely criticised tho sketch plans for a Governor's residence and Parliamentary Buildings on the score of tho accommodation provided. Ho said that on one floor of the proposed vice-re_ol residenco there were shown fourteen bedrooms and only ono bathroom. Tho Hon. J. Barr, speaking as one who knew something about buildings, defended tho designs'-of tho Government architect. He moved to adjourn the discussion for six months. The Attorney-General said he regretted very much that Mr Macdonald had thought fit to cast such undeserved reflection upon- the work of the Government architect, who had served the country faithfully and remarkably well. (Hear, hear.) Dr. Findiay then read an extract frOm theevidenco given by Mr Campboll before the committee, in which he stated that tho rough plan of a Governor's residence was intended to do no more than show what accommodation could be provided for a certain •sum. He spoko highly of the work of the "architectural bra eh of the Publio Works Department, and said the Government would call for competitive dosigns when it was advisable to do so. He opposed the motion and thanked Mr Barr for his defence of the Government architect. " The Hon. Mr Macdonald. replying after.further discussion, said he had made no personal reflection on Mr Campbell.- He had been careful to refer' only to tho architectural branch of the Public Works Department, and he thought some clerk had perhaps drawn the rough plans when the office was busy. He regarded; Mr Campbell as an extremely useful and valuable officer, who had dono goodj work, but who, "like the rest of us," was open to some criticism.. As tho question had "been, ventilated, he was willing to withdraw his motion. Mr Barr, having refused to withdraw his amendment, it • was : defeated and the -notion, was withdrawn.