CIVIL SERVICE CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 283, 24 August 1908, Page 8

CIVIL SERVICE CLUB.

THE NEW BUILDING. RAPID AND HAPPY DEVELOPMENTS. The Primo Minister (the Hon. Sir J. G. Ward) will to-day open the now Civil Servico Club building, a picture of which appears below. Very great progress has been made by this Club since its inception in 1904. From its •small suito of rooms in Lambton Quay it removes into a very fine building at the corner of Stout and Ballanco Streets. The history of the Club discloses how happy was the proposal for its establishment. It was in July 1903, that Mr. L. B. Jordan, of the Government Life Insurance Department, called a meeting of Civil Servants to consider tho establishment of a club. Tlio proposal was enthusiastically received. Subcommittees were set up, and the first general meeting was held on April 21, 1904. About 40 members were present. A month later the Club entered into its baby habiliments, in Lambton Quay, in the Temperance and General Assurance Building. A billiard table was purchased, and books and periodicals were procured. At May 30, 1905, tho membership stood at 86, and the balanco of assets over liabilities was £40. Very rapidly tho membership increased, and early in 1906 tho present old premises were secured, and a provisional Charter obtained from tho Government. At this tinjo the membership stood at 228, but in May, 1907, it had reached 259. The coramitteo were instructed to enter into negotiations for a more commodious and convenient building, and finally it was decided to accept an offer to build tho premises of which possession is to bo officially taken this afternoon at 4 o'clock.

Tho new building should bo very suitable. It is convenient in every respect, and is in many ways an ideal club-house. Residential quarters aro provided on tho second floor, which will be let to members at a very reasonable rental. Upon tho first floor is a splendid billiard room, 54ft. x 30ft., containing' three tables, and lighted with windows at each end, and with a picturesque dome in the centre. Tho reading room —large and .commodious—is situated also upon the first floor, and adjoins a pleasant library room. A social hall, 32ft. by 21ft., connects with tho library by folding doors, which, when removed, will give a room 56ft- long for entertainments and meetings. A strangers' room is situated on tho ground floor. Private, and general lounges and refreshment rooms are provided and cosily furnished. Tho building consists of three stories, and above tho third story is a pleasant little room giving access to tho roof, which is arranged for promenade purposes with a higli surrounding parapet. Excellent views can be obtained from hero. Tho wholo building contains a large number of rooms, and tho furnishings, though not unnecessarily elaborate, aro neat, and givo character to the institution.

To-day tho Club has a membership of 330. The president is Dr. Mason (Chief .Health Officer), and the secretary Mr. P. W. Woodroffe.

Tlio situation of tho Club is peculiarly happy. Tho building is a minute's walk from tho Government Buildings, is opposite tho Supremo Court and Polieo buildings, is two minutes' walk from tho Customhouse, four minutes from tho General Post Office, and it rubs shoulders with ■ the big Public Trust Ofiico that will shortly hum with service life. From this it will be gathered that it is in tho centro of tho various buildings inhabited

by civil servants. Tho elevation shown in the illustration is tho Stout Street frontago (75ft.), tho ground floor (and basement) to which frontago is tho only portion of tho building that will not be used for Club purposes. Tho cntranco to tho Club is from Uallanco Street, to which the building has a GSft. Gin. frontago. The building was erected by Messrs. Sanders Bros., from plans supplied by Mt. J. Charlcsworth, at a cost of about £10,000.