PARLIAMENT BUILDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18051, 28 March 1922, Page 6

PARLIAMENT BUILDING.

NEW ENTRANCE LOBBY.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK.

Tho mam entrance lobby to the now Parliament building in Wellington is to be completed in time for the opening of Parliament next session. The work has already progressed sufficiently far to show that this hall will not only be impressive by reason of its noble proportions, but will be very handsome indeed because of the beautiful New Zealand marbles which constitute the chief part of its decorations. Two large revolving doors will open into the entranoe lobby, which is in general square in shape, with five comdors leading off it to left and right; while opposite the revolving doora come the folding doors, which give access to tho members' lobby. To me right of the entrance hall to this inner lobby, a broad Btoircaae leads up to the Speaker's gallery, the ladies' gallery, etc. A handsome loaded-glass dome provides, by means of a large square "well' through the first and second floors of the building, for the daytime lighting of the entrance hall. The result is tnat the first and second floors constitute practically galleries to the hall. These galleries and dome are supported by substantial round pillars in grey marble, with a darker marble for their bases and bronze capitals. The stair bannisters and the balustrades of the galleries are also to be of bronze; and looking up through the well at the dome the effect will be very fine indeed. The hall is to be tiled in black and white marble and the architraves of the doorways will be of marble, with a handsome dock, framed in marble, abovo the door of the members' lobby, The walls are being furnished with a tall dado of marble, abovo which they will be finished off in Keen cement, the same as the corridors. Square, bronze-capped, dark grey marble pillars standing against the walls, complete the scheme of decoration; while square black marble pillars on either side of the stair-foot will carry handsome electric lamps.