SYDNEY'S PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 8

SYDNEY'S PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

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New South ' Wales is at . last going to possess a Parliament; House for wnich, her pe'oplo will have no cause to blush. This statement (says the Sydney, 11 Telegraph') perhaps errs.on the side; of optimism. • Itwould be literally correct'to merely say that plans are now m course of preparation by, tho Government 'Architect's branch,-,and mil in.due process of time-be submitted.to.that_ most puissant body,: the Public Committee, for approval. A new Legislativo.Hall is-not contemplated, ..but a scheme is being prepared which, by removing the whole .'Macquario Street' frontage, will givo an entirely new appearance to the oldtime edifice. ,In place of a shabby verandah there will bo a noble facade, with |;hugo columns'at regular intervals,' and-a flight of steps, along the entire, front. ; Certainly-th« ambitious design, which never,progressed.fui% tlier than the, laying of was ; a iino picco of work, yet the 1 present scheme will amply fulfil all- requirements. And if the dignity 'of tho members bo in harmonious accord with tho dignity of their domicile; tho. house.will in/future.be a model of decorum. A.most interesting feature;of-, the proposed alteration is the' destruction ■ol the old Legislative Council Hall, arid. the erection of a modern and up-to-date Chamber in its stead. Threatened men and institutions aro proverbially long-lived, and the much-maligned Upper House is a notable case in point, for not only is it. not yet abolished,but its accommodation is to bo rendered; more appropriate to its legislative functions.