THE PROPOSED PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 642, 19 March 1864, Page 1

THE PROPOSED PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS.

In accordance with the recommendations •of the Select Committee appointed 10 inquire into the office accommodation necessary for the various departments of the Civil Service, and for the halls of the Provincial Council and General Assembly, a plan ias. been prepared by Mr C. B. Swyer, the Provincial Engineer and Archi•tecti designed to comprise the whole in one block of buildings. The front elevation, as shown in the engraving, lacks the stately grandeur usually associated with the idea of Houses of Legislature; but it is chaste in design, «od the effect is exceedingly pretty. The style of architecture may not inappropriately be designated Italianised Roman. Along the whole line of frontage (a distance ■of 420 feet), on each aide of the portico is a range of double an too and Intermediate pilasters, surmounted by columns of the Corinthian order ; not presenting a dead! uniformity but broken into symmetrical masses. The wings are connected- with the centre by piazzas; and the whole range of buildings appropriated to offices encloses «n extensive quadrangular' court, in the central portion of which are placed the Halls of Assembly and Prpvincial Council. The principal entrance to both Halls is by a portico ornamented with columns of! the Corinthian order raised on pedestals, ' witE^oupled columns at, the angies, x and, surmounted by a light, architrave 'and entablature. ' Access is obtained rto the Vestibule by aftght of steps. . The Yestibnle itself is intended to be 54 feet wide by 38 feet deep. ' From each side of it branch passages lead to the various offices on the

partment, over which will be the offices of the Provincial Engineer. On the first floor of the left wing will be the offices of the Provincial Treasurer, and above them those of the Provincial Solicitor and the Land Department. Lastly, provision has been made for offices connected with the Survey Department, by placing them at the back of the building under the library, as well as for the education, immigration, and lithographic offices. The estimated cost of this beautiful and convenient edifice ia about .£70,000, and its arrangements are such that, if at a future time further accommodation is required, additions can be made without detracting from its appearance. The site has not yet been determined upon. Two or three situations have been suggested, but the mo3t commandin?, and that most generally approved, ia the one suggested by Mr Millar, the Cify Engineer, viz., the ground at Bell Hill, appropriated to the Scotch Church. Placed there, the effect would be striking and imposing, and worthy of the Metropolitan City of the Middle Island.