COFFEE PALACE COMPETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6145, 28 July 1881, Page 3

COFFEE PALACE COMPETITION.

•' .IP xn* EDrroß, * Sib, —Will you allow me space in your columns to call the attention of the members of the architectural "profession in Auckland to the proposed/competition forthe Auckland Coffee Palace., ~ On.perusing tho conditions issued under authority.it will be found that the directors offer a:prize of £50 for the first design, and £25 for the second..-. Everyone will, '. I am sure, be struck with the wonderful liberality contained in this offer I Now, what is ' required- from the profession for the respective • amounts :of £50 and'£2s?' Nothing short of two complete , sets of drawings at tho least consisting of twelve* drawings each, two complete specifications and.two detailed estimates, thi drawings to be mounted on stretching frames, and the whole to bccome'the property of the directors. In the ordinary coarse of business the lowest charge for-the foregoing would be £250 for each set, or- £500 for the two designs,. .and for this . the - miserably inadequate sum of £75 is dangled before our noses. Further, this paltry sura is not to be paid until tenders have been received; and even then not to be paid at all'if tenders exceed, the stipulated sum. - Also, the pre* miums are to be merged in the commission should anyone be .so unfortunate as to be selected to carry out the work. The directors must have a very low opinion of architects arid their work, if tho value they set upon two complete sets of drawings, specifications, and detailed estimates, be -a-criterion ;to, judge from. " Further, they do. not engage to give the author of the best design the opportunity of carrying bis design into execution; this may be deputed to some outsider at an equally inadequate : remuneration. Again, what guarantee have we that the judges have any find of "perception "as to whether a design is good or bad ; and even if professional or amateur judges be appointed, the competition may at-the best be decided by the fancies of an .individual or a clique. I do trust the members of the' Architects institute will have more respect for their prefession than to respond to the invitation of the Coffee Palace directors on the terms offered—it being (to use the mildest term) an insult to the profession.—l-am, &c., .. ' As Architect.