BRIGHTENING UP

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 9

BRIGHTENING UP

THE LEGISLATIVE HALLS DECORATORS PRECEDE THE SESSION [Special to the ‘ Stak.’] WELLINGTON, June 30. Last to receive attention in a big renovation programme which has been quietly going on for over two years, the chambers used by New Zealand’s legislators are being redecorated. The House of Representatives’ chamber is at the moment bare of its familiar features. Mr Speaker’s elaborate chair has been removed, together with all the comfortable double settees on which members are accommodated, and the cleared floor has a protective covering of old railway sheets which have done their duty as covering for goods wagons, but still indicate their original purpose by the large initials “ N.Z.11.” These protect the heavy red carpeting of the legislative floor. The lofty clerestory roof of the chamber is divided into_ large plaster panels with borders depicting bunches of fruit. Twenty years or so of use had made these elaborate decorations dingy, and the lighting of tho chain-

ber, largely dependent on reflection from the lofty ceiling, was becoming less efficient. By means of hanging platforms the workmen are renewing the white coating, while the walls are also receiving attention, spray coating being required in many places. The walls of the legislative chamber are heavily padded with felt to deaden echoes, as the chamber was originally difficult for _ speakers owing to a resonance which blurred! the best of oratory. Up to the level of the fronts of the galleries the chamber is panelled in rimu, which requires little attention. One of the features of this section of the House is that at intervals around the fronts of the galleries are carved wreaths surrounding the names_ of all the principal engagements in which the New Zealand Expeditionary Force took part during the Great War. The painters have completed their work in the Legislative Council, which has been fully restored to its original rich colour scheme of white and gold. This chamber is more attractive than the more sombro House of Representatives, for it has many fine marbla. pilasters, capped with gilt, and its gallery fronts arc of bronze. The Councillors sit on red plush conches, whereas their elective colleagues recline on more durable leather. Completion of the decorative programme recalls a political joke associated with its commencement. A start was made with the corridors, and early on the list was the suite of the Leader of the Opposition. The Forbes-Coates Government. in charge of the work, made the Opposition Leader’s room extremely comfortable and bright prior to fast election —and the first to use it when it became really attractive was the former Prime Minister.