THE NEW CUSTOM HOUSE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1726, 29 March 1905, Page 60

THE NEW CUSTOM HOUSE

A SOLID, HANDSOME STRUCTURE. A Customhouse for Wellington was regarded as needful ten years ago, and since then the room devoted to Die collection of the Customs duties has been practically the same, though it has increased enormously in bulk. Recognising the urgency for increased accommodation, the Government decided a couple of years ago to •erect a large and substantial building that would to a large extent provide accommodation for the Customs Department and other Government offices scattered over the local landscape. The outcome of this decision is the solid stone and brick structure that stands on mart of that strip of reclaimed land between the railway line and the harbour front in Customhouse quay, between the Queen’s and Railway W harves. Tlio new Customhouse consists of four stories and a basement, and lias a frontage of 120 ft to Chistomhou.se quay and the harbour, by a depth of

03ft, and, standing alone, it is given the same fanciful finish on each side. The building stands on a solid base of Port Chalmers blue metal, which is carried oft above the level of the road to the ground floor. A few stone steps lead to an arched doorway set in the centre of the Customhouse quay elevation, and still more steps have to be mounted inside before the ground floor is reached. The entire exterior construction of this—the lowest story—is of solid Oamaru stone, while above the building is erected in red brick, re--1 lieved in the centre of each of the four elevations by a perpendicular section of . white stone-work. This section in the front elevation is highly ornate, the 1 wall -Deing thrown back a little to admit of the introduction of a couple oi graceful -Corinthian pillars, with pretty capitals, in Oamaru stone. The stories are divided by a broad band of Oamaru stone with carved facings, while the entire structure is surmounted with a massive Oamaru-stone parapet, the whiteness of winch shows up against the dark shade of green-slate gable roof. Set fair in the centre of the roof is an ornamental copper-covered turret, surrounded by a miniature balcony, from which a very fine view of the City and harbour may be obtained. The height from the ground level to the top of the parapet is 70ft, to the ridge of the roof 87ft, and to the top of the turret, 107 ft. The main corridor leads in a straight course from the main entrance in Customhouse quay to a similar entrance on the ferry jetty side of the building. From tins tiled way passages lead off on either side, on to which the various offices open. An open well staircase of breeze concrete takes its rise from the eastern end of the central corridor to the floors above, all of which are arranged in convenient suites of offices.

The ground floor will be occupied by tiro local branch of the Customs Department. The largest apartment is the ‘‘long room,” but the “square room” would answer its description more satisfactorily, for it is a spacious, •well-light-ed room, covering a space of 51ft by 41ft- Other rooms on this floor are set apart for the collector, clerks, experts, lockers, landing surveyors, and shipping master (Captain Smith), with convenient strong rooms and lavatories. On tlie first floor are located the Nautical Adviser (Captain Blackbume) and the marine officers’ examination-room, the tide surveyor, Customs inquiry room, and the department of the Inspector of Machinery (Mr Duncan). The second floor will shelter the head office of the Customs Department, the District Roads Department, and the Official Assignee, and the Customs Analyst (Mr Hustwick). The top floor will be occupied by certain branches of the Agricultural Department, including the Dairy Commissioner and staff, and the biological branch.

The building is heated throughout with hot-water radiators, which are supplied from boilers located in the basement. The building is lighted by electricity, and provision lias been made for ail electric elevator. Mr \V. 11. Bennett was the contractor, and the plans were drawn by the architectural staff of the Public Works Department.

The new Customhouse is the nearest approach to a stone building that » .. Lngton can boast. In its construction not less than 20,000 cubic feet of Oairiaru stoqp was used. It will not be

ready for occupation for a few weeJ® yet, "as the fittings—a separate contract —have yet to be installed.