LAND AND BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 5

LAND AND BUILDINGS.

IMPROVING QUEEN STREET. A.M.P. OFFICES COMPLETED. AX 01: ATI-; STRUCTURE. The new premises of I lie Australian Mutual Provident Society at tlio cornes of Queen Street and Victoria Street East, which Mere commenced nearly two rears ago, Ijjjve been completed. From to-day tlioy will Ik* i>r i •it'll in <..irr\inj* on the business of the society. Handsome and imposing in appearance, the new building affords striking evidence of the confidence manifested by the directors in the future of tin: City of Auckland. The budding consist* of seven storeys, including .1 ia-.cim'iii. It, has a front-ago of 30ft I > Quern lit reel and to Vi< toria Street of 82ft. Tin' .stni'luro was designed by Messrs. Wilson and Moodie, and las been built at a .-ust of £25.000. It is one of tlif> most attractive-looking blocks in Queen Str<* t. and its dignified setting in granite and Mount tuners stone, with elaborate ami .ir; i^11• ■ carving, at once renders it a conspicuous an 1 pleading landmark among the many fine structures that have of laic years been erc't •-■<] in tho city's main thoroughfare The structure is a steel frame building, all the floors and stain, and interior walls being of concrete. The budding is thus practically immune i• >m lire. fhi) front elevations up to the first floor have been carried 'nit in I'xrorruiidel granite, while above the lii.-t storey .Mount Somers stone has been used. This stone is somewhat similar to the Oauuiu stone used in the General Post Ofl'ic, but is of a closer grain. This is the first building whero a considerable quantity of this material has been used in the city, and it is expected

that it will withstand the weather better than the Oomaru stone. The corner elevation adds greatly to tha fine appearance of the building. The lower portion of the structure is finished in dark rusticated stonework. Above that tho cream-coloured stono is elaborately carved, and there are two ornate balconettes of wrought iron, and a ramped parapet. At the summit of the building has been placed the handsome symbolical group, representing the activities of tho society. This group was carved by Mr. W. 11. Feldon, from Mount Somers stone, and is a most artistic pieco of work, which stands out in bold relief against the sky. Tho central figure is 10ft 6in in height, and represents Peace and Plenty. On the right-hand side of tho central figure is another figure which represents Labour, while on tho left-hand Bide are two more figures, representing & widow and orphan respectively. The width of the group is 10ft Sin, and it has been put up in seven pieces, which were jointed and doweled. The inscription -under tho group is " Amicus ecrtus in ro ineorta," which, being translated, moans ''a certain friend in time of need." There is a small, fiat, asphalted roof, reached by a circular iron staircase surnounting part of the building, while tho remainder of the roof has been covered ivith Welsh green slates. The ground floor and part of the fourth loor aro to bo devoted to the purposes if the society's business, and tho top floor A'ill be used as caretaker's quarters, -while most of the other floor aroa has been let to tenants. A special feature has been made of [•he interior decorations. The main office has been pannelled with Australian cedar Finished with a dull surface, while tho metal fittings are of electro bronze surmounted on solid bronze. An ornamental veiling completes an artistically designed >ffice. The fittings of the tenant's' officea ire handsomely designed in rimu. The entrance to the society's main offico is at the corner of the building, while access to the tenants' offices is gained by a handsome entrance hall and staircase, .adorned with a marble dado. The offices are reached by an electric lift, which rises at, tho rate of 250 ft per minute, and which can bo speeded up to 300 ft per minuto. Special attention has been paid to lighting and ventilation. Electric light haa been installed throughout the building, and there is also an auxiliary gas supply. Tho work of construction was carried out by -Mr. W. K. Hutchison.

TERBAOE OF BRICK HOUSES. TENDER OF £4919 ACCEPTED. Several tenders wore received for the erection of ;i terrace of four brick dwellings and one detached house on the corner of Jervois Road and Ctirran Street, Poufionby. for Mr. J. Stichbury. The buildings liavo been designed by Messrs. E. Hartley and Son. Each tenement will contain six rooms, finished throughout with plaster. The dwellings generally are to bo treated in the most modem style of domestie architecture. The tenders received | were as follows, that of Messrs. F. Ellis--1 don, at £4919, being accepted:— Miller. £6753; A. B. Holmes, £6270; E. J. YVattridge, £6000; J. W. Banbury, £5990; Johns and Soil, £5870; W. Mawd, £5486; I. McKinstry, £5444; K, Morris, £5443; MrCiillum and Bull, £5256: Lya aud Sons, £5191; J. H. Edwards. £5179; J. Guthrie, £5060; li. 11. Braithwaito, £5000; W. Sands. £4984; J. Burfoot, £4960; J. J. Holland, £4920; F. Ellisdon, £4919. Tenders were recently called for a residence to be built in briek and wood in Victoria Avenue, Remuera. The architect, Mr. A. B. Herrold. has received the following tenders, ami that of Mr. W. 11. Jerikin ha* boon accepted : W. H. Jenkin, £1425; ('. H. Frank ham. £1450; J. W. Bajnburv. £1496; A. A. ' Brooks, £1550; I). .forks, £1582; M. K. Baldock, £IM7: Johns ami Son, £1675: MrCVllum and Bull. £1721; Heron others, £1740; Clem. Fr.inkham. £1762. NEW POST OFFICE STRUCTURE. CHRISTCHURCJI PROJECT. | Plan' have been completed tor pulling down the old postal buildings in Hereford Street, (Jhristchunh. and tiling a threestorey brick building, to house the Po.-t, Office Savings Bank on the ground floor, the letter delivery department on the next floor, and the ii"w a::r«.<niatic telephone exchange on the t<>p flour. The other changes will be extensive, aud tho whole programme will cost £11,000. The telegraph counter will t«o moved to tho wing occupied by the ('twins Department, in the building in Cathedral Square, with entrance from tile present Savings Bank door. The changes will not only relieve the congestion to the public, but will provide more elbow room fur tho officer.*, ho are embar"iiss>\J ith a rapidly growing service. MANY BUILDINGS PLANNED. TENDERS INVITED. The architect of the Education Board (Mr. J. Farrell) is inviting tenders for an infant department, in brick, fur tho Whangarei school, tenders closing July 14; a manual and technical school, To Arolia, iu wood, closing July 21: and additions to the Mamaku school, closing July 21. The Public Works Department is calling tenders for a new post office, to be erected at Owluingo, d'sing to morrow; a new post office tor Matakana, closing July 8; and the erection of cottages at I'aerata railway station, closing July 8. Other tenders are being invited to fol- r lows; —Brick theatre building, Hamilton, closing July 7 (H. C. liriurson); throestorev warehouse, Fort Street, tor Messrs. Skeates and White, closing July 10 (J. Currie): offices at Pukekohe, closing July 7 (F. W. Mount joy. I'ukekolie); concrete block residence at Manger©, closing July 6 |0. W. Allsop); residence, .Mount Albert Road, closing July 7 (.1. Currie); removal of house in Ponsoiiby and alterations to same, closing Julv 10 (W. A. <; Holman!; residence, Trafalgar Street, 'f Oinhunga, cioaiiij tomorrow (A. & Hft'ones). ' . :£i ;Bs®| . . n