NEW POST OFFICE

Evening Star, Issue 22366, 16 June 1936, Page 8

NEW POST OFFICE

WORK PROGRESSING RAPIDLY. REMOVAL OF SCAFFOLDING BEGUN Rapid progress is being made towards the completion of Dunedin’s new Post Office. At the present time almost every trade connected with the building industry is represented on the job—a somewhat unusual occurrence. In addition to carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and plasterers contributing; their share towards the construction of the building, contractors for the despatch tube system, the lifts, the fire alarm, and heating systems are progressing substantially, with their respective sections of the work, while other tradesmen include stone masons, terrazzo workers, tilers, and lastly (but not of least importance) the stone carver, who has been engaged for months adding to the artistic value of the structure. Work has now advanced to the stage where a start has been made to point and clean down the stonework on the Rond and Water street frontages, and the removal of portion of the scaffolding gives some idea of the beauty and attractiveness of the polished Putaruru stone. As previously reported, this stone is being pointed with grey cement. The last shipment of Putaruru stone required to complete the work is now on its way to Dunedin. With the pointing and cleaning down of the stonework, the scaffolding is being gradually removed, and after sufficient time has been allowed for the stone to dry out a water-proofing liquid will be applied. The carving of the Corinthian columns on the Princes street facade will be completed in about three weeks’ time, while little remains to be done in connection with the glazing of the exterior. The bituminous fabric roofing has been laid on the light area and the pent houses, and three out of the four layers have been applied to the main roof. FLAG POLE IN POSITION. An interesting external fixture is the substantial-looking flag pole securely fastened in a bronze base on the Bond and Water street corner, which incidentally marks the highest point of the building. INTERNAL FINISHES. The greatest activity on the job is apparent inside the building, where many sections of the work are advancing harmoniously at a rapid pace. Plastering has been completed in the mam portion of the basement, on the ground, first and Second floors, the finish being white in colour and simple in design. The tiling and terrazzo work in the lavatory blocks has reached the stage where the sanitary fittings—the earthen ware and the nickel-plated service pipes :—can be installed, while the setting of the Mosaic tiles on the stair landings is just about to commence. The partitions, including the glazing of same, have been erected on the_ two lower floors, and are partially finished on the next floor. INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT. The installation of Hhe telephone mains for the Post and Telegraph Department has been started, the contract/ for which is outside the main contract. Good progress has been made with the heating systems, the plant for which has been set up in the basement. It is hoped to carry out a test of the system within the next two months. The whole of the guides are in place in the six main lift wells, and the installation of the power units is under way. The mail and letter lifts, which will operate between the ground and first floors only, are almost ready for work, while the mail conveyor connecting the basement and ground floor has practically reached the same stage of erection. . SUBDIVISIONS. Finality has been reached regarding the subdivisions of the upper floors, but the contractors are awaiting the confirmation of same by Cabinet before proceeding with this section of the work.