Description of the Buildings.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5914, 28 April 1887, Page 3

Description of the Buildings.

Letter A in the plan show9 the scene of the fire. Letter B indicates the site of the famous "Buildings," the "largest ■wooden shedifice," &c, &c. The block in which this disastrous fire has occurred, is occupied on the whole of Custom House quay frontage by the General Poet and Telegraph offices. To tbo rear, the irregular-shaped premises of Membra Levein and Co. are situated, these having frontages on Panama and Grey Btreets. On the Feathers tone street' frontage are the premises of Messrs William JUawson and Co., &o. In February, 1882, the contract was let for the new Post-office, on Custom-howse Quay, at the corner of Grey street. The successful tenderers for the erection of the building were Messrs Barry and M'Dowell, toe contract price being j>13,880. In accepting the tender the PostmasterGeneral stipulated that at any time within nine months he might require the successful tenderers to erect and complete the whole block of buildings for both Post and Telegraphic offices for the sum named by them, £2i,44i. The structure somewhat resembles in appearance the old Otago University in Princess street, Dunedin, now the property of the Colonial BanV. The contract specified that the building should be erected on totara pileß, each 12in square, and driven 13ft into the bed rock, with concrete footings for the walls. The cellar entrance and messengers' room were floored with concrete, while the front vestibule was payed with red and jellow Minton's tiles. In the mail room, cast-iron pillars and columns support the ceiling and fire-proof rooms above. There •re three Btrong-rooms, one on each floor. The outer and principal walls of the buildJag are of brick, and the entire structure is roofed with corrugated iron. The tower, of wood, reaches a height of 114fc from the ground, exclusive of the vane staff, which ia 12ft higher. On the first storey is the Testibule, with a main entrance from Custom-house Quay, and immediately in front are the boxes for the posting of letters. The other apartments on this floor are occupied by the public rooms, telegraph counter clerks and despatch clerks' roomß, and messengers' rooms, with • separate entrance from the Btrpet. On this floor iB also the letter- delivering counter, and counters for the sale of •tamps, registration of letters, and moneyorder business, while on the Grey street comer of the building are the offices of the money-order clerk, chief postmaster, and ohief clerk. At the rear is the mail room, strong room, and the private letter-bor lobby, with an entrance from Grey street. There is a corridor 13ft wide on the second storey, with rooms for the telegraph manager and ohief clerk, messengers' room, dead letter office, and offices for the PostmasterGeneral, Secretary, and Inspector. To the right of the staircase is the entrance to the instrument room of the Telegraph Department, with battery room and storekeeper's room at the rear of the building. On the third storey is a corridor 13ft wide, an office for the Money Order and Savings Bank clerks, offices for the accountant of the Post and Telegraph Departments, a cadet's gallery (above theinstrument room), and cleaning house. On. each floor there

are lavatories, provided wUb every convenience. Right through the centre of t.he building ia an open space or well (36ft 6in x 18ft 3in), which affords facility for proper liefht and ventilation. "Ihe architect was Mr Thomas Turnbull.