THE STEWART'S ISLAND IMMIGRATION BARRACKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3367, 20 November 1872, Page 3

THE STEWART'S ISLAND IMMIGRATION BARRACKS.

We observe that tenders arc being reteived for tho erection of Immigration Barracks at Port William, Stewart's Island. The designs for these buildings have been prepared for the General Government by Mr David Ross, architect— who has succeeded in combining economy in construction with an arrangement of the various parta which seems to bo woll adapted to the purposes for which the buildings are intended. The central portion of the main building consists of officers' quarters, with all necessary .storage room, &c. On either side of this is an entrance hall, communicating with wings on the right and left— one of which will be tho married people's quarters, the other being for single men. The former of these, which is 4.oft. tiin. by 22ft., will be divided on both sides into a number of small apartments opening into a central space for the general use of the inmates. Lavatories, bathroom, &c, &c, are provided. An interior stair communicates with the upper portion of the wing, which is subdivided in the same manner as tho ground floor, the central space being left open, and railed (AT, and a gallery running round, which i^ives access to the various rooms. Altogether there are apartments for 25 married couples.

The other wing, which measures 63ft. by 20ft., and which, as we have said, is to be occupied by single men, is similar in its arrangements to the first described, with the exception that the sides are not partitioned off into separate apartments, the entire space being left open. There is accommodation, above and below, for 50 single men. The kitchen, which is behind the officers' q\iarters, has a communication with the single men's quarters by means of a slide panel opening into a mess lobby. The married people's wing opens into the kitchen at the other side by a covered way, thus keeping the two classes apart, and pre venting confusion. The kitchen and washhouse adjoining are provided with largo boilers, a brick oven, and every other requisite. Somewhat apart from the mam building, and at right angles to the married people's quarters, is another wing, 63ft by 20 feet, fitted up for the accommodation

of SO Jiingle women, viz., 23 below, and j27 in the gallery above. The arrange- ■ ments here are identical with those in the single men's division. There is thus in the three wings described ample provision made for the residence of 150 persons, exclusive of the officiate connected with the establishment. The arrangementa for ventilation and heating are simple and complete. All the beds will be on moveable stretchers, so that they may be periodically removed outside and aired. When the whole or any portion of the beds are not in use, they will be placed in store, thus as far as possible preventing the introduction of the germs of disease, or of vermin in the walls, &c, of the dormitories, against which, more especially in a wooden building of this description, every precaution must be taken.

It is the intention of the architect to avail himself as much as possible of the timber and other building materials obtainable on the island, thus reducing the cost to a minimum. The buildings will be on a pleasant site fronting the water, and the works will be commenced as soon as possible after the acceptance of a tender.