GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 13

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

RECENT RENOVATIONS

For some years Government House has been allowed to fall inr-o a state of disrepair, sufficient to c-nJ forth several protests, from the dittVeat occupants of the building. The shabby condition of the interior has been t-speeially commented upon, and the mouldy nud gensra-Uy di» lapidated condition of many of tho upartments wa3 sufficiently obvijvu to b-- u. matter of comment among those who visited the abode of vice-royalty. Consequently the Public }Yorks Department decided a month or two ago to make the building more habitable. First and 'foremost it was necessary to strengthen the floors in one or two places, as they were beginning to show every sign of advancing age—creaking and shaking ominously under the tread of even the lightest individual. In fact a story was current at one time that the castors

bad been removed from several bedsteads and other articles of furniture, this pre- ' cautionary measure being necessary to secure a stationary situation in the room, as owing to the inequalities in the flooring the mysterious way they moved about formed an exceedingly disconcerting incident during midnight hours. This condition of affairs has now been rectified, and when the Earl of Ranf urly retires to rest in one corner of his apartment he can do so with a reasonable amount of assurance that he will wake up in the same spot. To attain the desired end it was found necessary to take out several of the old joists, I and after hoisting up the sunken floors, : several blulergum stays measuring 20 x Bin |

were introduced* everything being made solid and firm.

The building has also been re-painted and papered throughout. Aad up-to-date electric light fittings now take the place of the gas jets formerly used. The ballroom and both drawing-rooms which open off this apartment no longer present the terra-cotta distemper walls, tbey being now covered with a handsome self-tinted chrome yellow paper, the woodwork which before had been varnished being painted a dead flit white. Tais has also been done on the main staircase and in the private apartments, and ha 3 an excellent effect. In the dining-room a richly - coloured crimson lake paper has been utilised, it being eminently adapted for such a purpose, giving a brillianb effect under an artificial light. -Passing through the hall and other passages and corridors the visitor notices that all have been ornamented alike with paper of a bold poppy pattern, while all the bedrooms and sittingrooms have been renovated in a suitable manner. The chambers of the Governor and Countess show the result of considerable attention, and have been newly carpeted with material specially imported by Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains. Alterations have also been made in the rooms occupied by the personal staff and in those set apart for the reception of distinguished visitors, while the billiard-roora will now be a much more comfortable apartment than hitherto. All of the paper used was chosen by Lady Ranfurly, who expended a great amount of time to the task of selection. Messrs R. and E. Tingey were able to undertake the work of supply, and their importation was made up of the very latest material. The exterior has also been thoroughly overhauled and painted, the roof being ■ similarly treated.

The household servants arrived from Christchurch a day or two ago, and are busily engaged in doing the work necessary after an invasion of the place by- aaariny of artisans. This will .153 a small matter, however, and the furniture, pictures, curtains, &c, will all be arranged in the rooms by the date of Lord and Lady Ranfurly's return from Australia on the 14th inst. The result of it all will be that they will take up their residence with very much improved surroundings, which will doubtless add much to the enjoyment of their term of life spent in the colony. It is satisfactory to know that the building has at last received the attention it was so long in need of, and is now spick and span throughout. The whole of the work has been done under the co-operative system, to the satisfaction of both the department and employees, and, though there were 20 painters besides carpenters, plumbers and brioklayers engaged, not the slightest hitch occurred. The oost will be considerably below that which would have been demanded under the contract system, and those oonneoted have all earned adequate wages. Mr Gape 3 supervised the operations, and was instrumental in obtaining the result achieved.