NEW FIRE STATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 14

NEW FIRE STATION

FINISHING WORK

MUCH STILL TO BE DONE

The estimate of the time' by which the new Central Fire Station in Clyde Quay is likely to be ready for occupation has been extended again. Under the original terms of the contract the building would have been completed some time ago, but with alterations to the plans aiid additional work of some magnitude the contract period necessarily also had to undergo change. It was stated at last month's meeting of,the Wellington Fire Board by the superintendent of the Central Station, Mr. C. A. Woolley, that it was anticipated the new premises would be ready for occupation by the end of July, but the latest estimate is that everything may not be in readiness before September.

The main structural work has been completed and the blocks of flats in which the married men are to be housed are practically completed, but there is still a good deal of work to be done, particularly in the station building, facing Clyde Quay. Some of the scaffolding has been removed from the facade of this building, although the greater part of it is still in position. The clock tower, which rises to a height of about 49ft above the level of the station roof, is also still in "splints." The tower is to accommodate the John Blundell clock from the demolished Town Hall tower. The clock, which has four faces, is to be flood-lit, and this will make the tower a feature of the station by night as well as by day.

The men employed on the station building are engaged at the present time mostly on finishing work, such as plastering, painting, and joinery in the interior of the structure, and it is apparent that it will be some time yet before this is completed.

In the meantime attention is being given by members of the board to suitable appointments for the new premises. At today's meeting, for example, tenders were accepted from one firm for the floor coverings and curtains, and from another firm for the supply of blinds. The question of furniture remains for consideration.

The contract for the building of the new station was let at a price of £49,877. The land cost £25,000, making a total of £74,877. Since then, however, additional wage and other costs consequent on legislation and also accessory equipment, as the chairman of the board, Mr. N. W. Nelson, pointed out recently, have entailed increases over the original amount, making it necessary "to apply for a supplementary loan of £15,000 to cover these items. The board's application for a loan of this amount is at present before the Local Government Loans Boards

When the new station is completed it will be the best equipped and most up to date in the Dominion.