NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BLUFF.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 35, 22 December 1900, Page 7

NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BLUFF.

Recent visitors to the Bluff have not failed to notice the great improvement made in the appearance of the main street by the erection of the new public buildings, which now stand on the site at one time occupied by the old iron hall at the corner of Gore and Bee streets. The buildings have a frontage to Gore street of sixty-six feet, and to Lees street of fifty-eight feet. The whole of the outside walls are of pressed bricks set in cement mortar with cement facings and ornamented pilasters and cornices, the bricks being painted over with oxide of iron and the joins being lined in with white putty, which gives the exterior a light and cheery appearance, and fotms a good contrast to the cement facings, etc. In the centre of the structure facing Gore street is the main entrance directly under the tower, which rises to a height of sixty feet. To the right of the main entrance, and through an archway are situated, the Postmaster’s room, and the public Office of the Post and Telegraph departments. The main office is of ample size, with circular panelled counter and fittings of figured red pine surmounted with brass railings and screens, all being on the latest principle. At the back of the office stands' the public Telephone Bureau, with the mail room, private letter box lobby, instrument ; room, battery loom, and bureau, all fitted up with up-to-date instruments, sorting tables, and fittings of every description. To the left of tlm main entrance are spacious rooms for the Custom House officials. The upper storey is approached by a wide and easy staircase, which gives accdss to the stock department officials, and the Magistrate’s court. The whole of the inside is finished on the walls and ceilings with plaster, the principal compartments having heavy plaster cornices and panelled dados in wood. The angles and arches are all executed in Keen’s cement, which resembles marble in appearance. The clock is not yet in position, but we understand it is well on towards completion. It is being made in Wellington by Messrs Littlejohn and Co. The building was erected by Mr Alex. Menzies, and has been carried out by him in a faithful manner and in accordance with his reputation as a builder at a cost of a little under £3OOO. The building was designed by Mr P. Walker, who was publicly complimented by the Postmaster - General on the able manner in wnich he had carried out the work. To show that the expenditure has been fully justified by the increase in the business at the Port we quote figures given by the Hon. J. G. Vvard at the public opening of the buildings a few weeks ago : The letters posted at Bluff in 1890 were 52,481 ; in 1899, 75,985 ; post cards, 1793 —6175 ; books, 7137 newspapers, 2690 delivered, 35,035 —76,765 ; post cards, 1260 —4277; books, 3666—25,896 ; newspapers, 7826 1890 the number of money orders had doubled, while Savings Bank deposits had also increased 100 per cent, The telegrams despatched in 1890 numbered 9549 ; in 1899, 21,626. The Hon. gentleman added that independent of these figures the office was a very important one owing to its being one for the exchange of foreign mails. From these figures it will be seen that Southland’s port and the district generally is making rapid progress.