ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12001, 25 June 1902, Page 5

ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

THE FURNISHING.

At the Auckland Harbour Board meeting yesterday, the following report was submitted by the sub-committee appointed to report on the question of furnishing Admiral's House:—(l) That the necessary furniture, as hereinunder specified, be purchased from the firms mentioned, viz.: Drawingroom, diningroom, Admiral's room, Direct Supply Company; other ground floor rooms (except billiardroom), comuor, staircase, and three bedrooms upstairs, Winks and Hall ; upstairs bedrooms (except as above), kitchen and appurtenances, 'lonson Garlick Company, Limited, and Messrs. T. and H. Cooke. (2) That the cost do not exceed £1000. (3) That the chairman and Messrs. Nathan and Philson supervise the furnishing, ana all articles be ordered by them. (4) That the approximate list of articles submitted be approved for the first order. The Chairman (Mr. W. Gunson) said the report was incomplete. He moved, " That it be sent back to the committee."

Mr. J. A. Walker desired to move as an amendment, That consideration of the furnishing of Admiralty House be deferred, and that meantime the opinion of the Board's solicitor be obtained as to whether the house can be sold or leased." He said he wanted to know, as a member of the Board, whether they could sell the house. If the} 7 could not sell it, then they must furnish.

The On airman said he thought it was very plain that they could not sell or lease without the permission of the Governor. Mr. Walker said that was much open to question. At present the Governor knew nothing officially about Admiralty House. He did not take it over until it was furnished.

The Chairman said Mr. Walker's amendment would be more appropriate when the committee's report was presented to the Board.

Mr. Walker said his only objection to that was that it meant further delay. Mr. J. T. Julian said he did not see why a committee of the Board should order this furniture. If there was any commission on it, let the secretary have it. Mr. A. H. Nathan objected to Mr. Julian making remarks of ~ that kind concerning gentlemen who were doing their duty as members of the Board.

Mr. James Stichbury thought Mr. Julian should withdraw the remark. Members of the Board were working for the benefit of their constituents, and he did not think they should be subjected to such remarks. Mr. Julian said he did not say there was any commission; he only said " if" there was any. The Chairman : I think Mr. Julian should withdraw.

Mr. Julian: Certainly I withdraw. Mr. btichbury then urged that tenders should be called for the supply of furniture.

Mr. Nathan supported the report going back to the committee. He said the Board could not properly judge whether they should call tenders or not until the committee presented a . complete report. The Chairman's motion to refer the report back to the committee was then carried unanimously..