HOME OF PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10631, 29 November 1912, Page 1

HOME OF PARLIAMENT.

■ i i .i— i—.. THE NEW BUILDING. SPECIFICATIONS ALMOST READY. [From Our Cociuespondekt.] WELLINGTON, November 28. Such excellent progress is being made with the preliminary work connected with the site and the plans of the new Parliament buildings that there is every probability of the actual building operations being started within four months at the latest. The work is to be done by a private contractor, who will find ready constructed all the foundations and also the complete basement floor at the rear of the building. This portion, fronting on Museum Street, is on a lower level than the front of the site, and has therefore been built up to a uniform level with the. substantial concrete foundations now awaiting the stonemasons. Plans and specifications are practically ready for calling for tenders, and it is understood that three months will bo given in which to submit prices. Tenderers will nave the option of specifying various building stones for the outer walls, but Coroinandel granite is to be used fairly extensively in the basement and ground floor. The elevated site and the unobtrusive nature of the boundary fences will enable a. fine view of the big national building to be obtained from the surrounding streets. The American idea of no fencing has been aimed at by the Government architect, though he lias not been able to go all the way in this direction. As a compromise, a low wall without the usual ornamental iron railing, will be built on the street line. The dominion _ has long required a sale plcicG in wliicli "fco cl - posit national records. This will be provided in the basement, which is constructed of concrete, absolutely fireproof, and commodious enough to serve the purnose of Parliament and the State Departments for many years to come. ________