THE NEW COURT-HOUSES

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1961, 24 September 1863, Page 3

THE NEW COURT-HOUSES

The building itself, doserres raore than a passing notice, and we therefore subjoin the fol lowing description of it. It is situated on Lumbton Quay, opposite the most recently reclaimed land, aud comprises the Supreme Court, Resident Magistrate's Court, Police barracks, and Registrar's Oflice. The principal front abuts on Lambton Quay, and faces at an obtuse angle the street ruuning down to Mr Plhnmer's wharf. The building has a frontage of about 90 ft by a depth of 65 ft and contain* with ihe corridors and Supreme Court, 19 rooms, the dimensions of the principal cf which are as follows; — Supreme Court, 50!'t x25 ft x25 ft in height ; Residdnt Magistrate's Court, 2B It xl9ftxl2 ft in height; Judge's chambers and robing room, 19ft x 19 ft ; 2 prisoners cells, each 9 ft x 9 ft ; police station, 19ft x 15 ft ; men's sleeping room, 16 ft x24ft ; Registrar' room, 19 fix 15 ft ; fire-proof strongroom, 7 ft x 5 ft. Betides the Supreme Couit Home, and forming part of the upper floor, are suites of rooms designed for the accommodation of the Grand and Petty juries, a robing chamber for the legal profession, and a room for the accommodation of witnesses. The principal frout in style, is Grecian Doric, the two wings projecting sufficiently to form a considerable area of ground enclosed on three sides, and in which is placed a massive portico vTJth pediment suppoited iv four fluted columns. The friezes and cornices of the wings are ploin, while those of the portico aie chastely adorned with triglyphs, mutules, circular drops and metopes, the columns stand on a stone platform 30ft x 10ft., the ascent to which is by three broad steps. The whole of the front is coustructed with tolara wood, and enclosed as it is by a neat iron palisading, makes a very handsome appearance. The Court House itself, (in front of which is the vestibule 50(t x 9ft,) is a large hall, but its extent seetns well occupied with fillings which comprise common jurors boxes, grand jurors bench, witnesses' aud crier's boxes, and prisoners dock ; also a large table for the use of the bar, and benches for the Ju<-ge and Registrar. Ample accommodation is provided for the general public in the shape of an upper and lower gallery. A considerable elevation of ground in the rear impedes the proper lighting of this Hall; a lauteru light iv the roof, might have obviated this, but the difficulty of keeping it water tight, iv a windy place like Wellington may have prevented its adoption. The plaster ceiling with splayed sines and ends, is divided into 4 compartments with rounded ribi. The walls are lined with sunk flush limug and are generally plain, as well as ibe other parts, excepting the framing to the Judge's Bench, which is neatly moulded, and also where the canopy is fixed, with its majeuta colored cloth lining, its | dark red fringe, gold corded tassels, and damask curtains, which gite this end of the Court an ioipcsiug yet chaste appearance. The whole of the wood work is varnished, aud the floor covered with cocoa nut malting. The Resident Magistrate's Court it smaller, but seemingly well arranged. It is convenient and well lighted, use lather than ornament having been studied in this, as well as the iest of the rooms, excepting the Judge's Chambers, which are decorated and furnished with taste and judgment. We understand the contract pi ice for the building was £4,330. Mr C. R. Carter vv.is the architect, aud Mr J. Gell the builder. The building is constructed of wood mostly red piue and totara : and stands on a brick foundation. The roof, sides, and rear of the building are corered with corrugated galvanized iron, the main frout being executed in wood in imitation of stone, and the whole appears to be constructed of durable materials