THE NEW POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 5

THE NEW POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

The new public buildings m Timara will iuclude accommodation for tbe Post Office, Telegraph, Customs, Eduoation, and Land Tax Departments. The site of the building is at tbe junction of Sophia street with George street at its most elevated angle, and the principle entrances will be towards George street, wbere the fron -ge of the block will be 88ft, tbe depth towards Sophia street being 66ft. The building will be about two stories m height, or about 40ft from street line to finish of cornice. A central clock tower will be carried np an additional 80ft above

cornice, or 70ft m all fiom ground line, anrl above this elevation a flag p le with time tall will ba placed. In consequence pf thu ra id fall of the ground backwards from Georgi street, the back portion of the building wil, only rise <ne storey above Ihe line of Sophia slre-t, where Ihe private box department of the Post Office and posting- window is situated also the mail entrance to the sorting room, 1 1" bisement floor under this portion being occupied for storage and other conveniences. The entrances to the pub'io department will be through porches projected on relieved Doric columns, Burmounted by balustrades, the entrance to private boxes and posting-windows adjoining being similarly treated. The desir n of tbe building is of plain Italian, several of the window openings being relievtd wilh panelled pilasters, consoles and cornices ; the main cornice of the building being enriched with modillions nnd dentils. The tower will be finished witb fl it roof, protected by pierced balustrade, surmounting a boldly projected cornice, carried on moulded trusses. The basement floor will be constructed of concrete, and the remainder of the buildißg of brick, cement finished, part uf the work being rusticated ut joints for relief. The accommodation provided m the building is as follows: — Iv the basement, lar.-:e storage accommodation for Postal Department, 58ft x 28ft ; two living rooms, 17ft x I3ift ; bedroom, 13ft x 10ft ; and otber conveniences for storage, _c. In the principal or ground floor : Mail room, 58ft x 28ft ; Bpace for public, 21ft x 16ft (Money Order office screened off from same with parallel partition) ; Postmaster's room, 2 lft x 16ft ; Insurance Department, 18ft x 16ft ; vestibule, 8 tin width by 16ft. Telegraph Department, 23ft x 19ft 6in, subdivided by counter between clerks and public ; a messenger's room adjoining, 16ft x lift 6in, comniu icating with a vestibule similar to that entering to the Postal Department. In connection witb the Customs Department there will be a long room, 28ft x 21ft 6n; the Collector's and Landing Waiter's rooms of 16ft x 15ft eacb, and strong room ; a letter carrier's room, 17ft x 13ft 6in, and strong loom, being also attached to Postal Department. Principal staircase leading to upper floor will be 16ft x 13ft, and the accommodation provided m upper floor consists of the instrument room m connection with Tele graph Department, 40ft x 33ft, test room and store room. A lift communicates from public offices below, m convenient position. The remaining portion of this floor is occupied by two offices for the Education Department of 16ft x 15f( each, and Land Tax offices of 18ft x 15ft, and 19ft x lift. The building has heen designed, and plans and specifications prepared by Mr R. A. Lawson, architect, Dunedin.