THE MOUNT COOK SITE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 61

THE MOUNT COOK SITE

CONVERTED INTO BARRACKS.

cedes TURNED INTO BEDROOMS

COMMANDANT TO BE LOCATED

THERE

Despite the protestations made from time to time by the citizens of Wellington, *nd latterly by the settlers ox the surrounding districts, the Government has carried cut its project of converting the most prominent site m Wellington city into military barracks. For some months past large gangs or prisoners, and numbers of artisans, have been engaged in converting the gaol cells into bedrooms, and otherwise making the prison building fit to accommodate the Permanent Artillery. The small cell windows have been taken out and the doors enlarged, so that about 700 cubic feet of space will _be available in each bedroom. Provision has been made for ventilation, and very comfortable quarters have been providOxi the first floor portions of the walls have been taken down, and a number of cells have been removed, thus enabling the conversion of a corridor into a spacious dining hall, which has been plastered and painted and fitted up in quite an ornate manner. On the same floor reading rooms and other conveniences !,:■ vr been provided.

J_c Avas at first intended <-o place me kitchen in the basement, but it is understood that the Minister for Public Works, who visited the place recently, vetoed the idea, with the result that a lot of expensive work which had been done was rendered useless. Mr Hall-Jones is said t of have expressed the opinion that the kitchen so placed would prove too small, rDesides leading to the distribution of the fumes of cookery throughout the building. , ..V Consequently, orders have been given/' for the erection of a kitchen apart from the main building. Hot and cold water baths have also been provided, and the most modern arrangements made for the ccmfort and convenience of the ent Artillery and their officers. Stables ' for the accommodation of the artillery horses are being erected on the grounds. It is said that arrangements are also being made to remove the Commandant of the Forces and his staff from their present Quarters and place them in new quarters at Mount Cook. Meantime they will probably be stationed in the depot, rendered vacant by Colonel Messenger and his staff. It is thought that the above arrangement will render Colonel’ 7 Penton and his officers more free from the intrusions of the public than at theV present time * The new barracks are splendidly fitted up Avith electric light, and elevators have

been provided and placed in good working order. It will be only a matter of time when the surrounding acres will he turned into a parade ground for volunteers, but ttfb far as can be ascertained. no arrangement has been made for plantations and flower gardens, as Mr Seddon promised. Indeed, it is not likely that the general public will be allowed admission to the grounds. Although a great deal of the work of rehabilitation was done by prison labour, it is estimated that the cost of the work will be several thousands of pounds.