UNIQUE BUILDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20846, 13 April 1931, Page 10

UNIQUE BUILDING.

due for destruction

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

The Government Life Insurance building in Wellington, which is to be demolished'''before the end of the present year, is a building not altogether without interest, if only for the carving, stainedglass windows, and terra cotta work it contains.- ' Although built of brick, its construction was rather a piecemeal affair; in fact, it was built in three sections. Tho centre /portion of the site was formerly occupied by the Provincial Government buildings, a two-storey wooden Structure, with vacant areas at each end. When it was decided to erect the pies-ent-building the commissioners called*for competitive designs by architects, and the first pri/se was awarded to a young man, named Jos.all Charlesworth. In order to carry out the work he went into partnership with. Mr. Toxward, official architect to tho Government Life Insurance Depai ment, who was also in private practice. A time of depression caused the work to be delayed for a time, and Mr. Charlesvorth left for Australia. ... • The next, move was to build the wing 011 the 110HI1 corner, to make provision for the "rowing staff of the Insurance Department. This did not interfere with tlie olrK Provincial Government Building. Mr. Toxward was entrusted with tho ■\vork, but it had not lone been in progress when he died suddenly, and another architect was appointed to complete the work. 'lt was next, decided to proceed with the building <»n the southern corner. The old I'iovincial .Building was then pulled down and re-erected in brick in 1894. • The / stained-glass windows, bearing the Royal Arms, with "V.R.' on either side, were the first brought to New Zealand, except for churches. There are several other windows of stained glass in small squares which might be adapted to church work 'when the present building is pulled down. The vestibule itself is lined with terra cotta tiles of very, high quality and artistic appearance. The stone work is in Early French style. Although built of brick, ,the building is of very solid construction.