The New Police Barracks, Auckland.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VI, 10 February 1900, Page 262

The New Police Barracks, Auckland.

Aucklanders have reason to be proud of the fine police barracks erected by the Government in O’Rorke-street for the accommodation of the police and detective department of the city, as will be seen from the series of views given in this issue. The whole establishment is more on the lines of a “club” than a police barracks. On the first floor is a nice sunny room for the convenience of the Inspector, well fitted and furnished with every office convenience. Opposite is the clerk's room, another private, well fitted and spacious apartment with a good outlook. The chief detective also has a comfortable office for himself, with up to date accessories and an iron safe for keeping valuables, and adjoining is an elaborate room fcr the detectives, fitted up with shelves and other office, fixtures, so that everything can be kept in its place. There is also a special room for keeping records and stationery fitted up with all conveniences, also a room where the police keep their uniforms, each being given an allotted space and a number which corresponds with their bedroom number on the top storey, and also with a number given to them in the basement, where a room is set apart for cleaning boots and keeping the blacking and brushes. The billiard room is the largest in the barracks and it contains one of Alcoek’s best tables, subscribed for by the men themselves, and five long comfortable seats upholstered in leather. It is also otherwise elaborately fitted up. A library has been started and two shelves containing books are neatly placed in one portion of the billiard room. At present there is a very fair stock of books in the library, but provision is made for a stock of 300(1 volumes. Opposite the billiard room is another apartment which will be used as a reading room and a place for filing newspapers, while there will also l>e accommodation to enable the police to write reports on departmental matters. Tn the top storey bedroom and other accommodation is provided for forty men, the iron bedsteads and mattresses in use having been imported from England. A special room is also devoted in case one of the police take ill, and has a cheerful look out. There are baths on this floor fitted with hot and cold water and shower, and also lavatories constructed on the latest principles. There are also lavatories on the first floor. On the basement is a storeroom for boxes and portmanteaux owned by the police, and a bootcleaning room. There is likewise a fine big airy and well lighted kitchen with an extensive range and hot water service, and adjoining is a bright dining-room which is connected from the kitchen with a serving slide. The rooms in the barracks are well lighted, airy and cheerful, and the whole are fitted up with incandescent lamps. In the yard attached to the barracks is a commodious pantry, coal house, lavatories and brick stable containing two loose boxes and a stall, besides a forage and saddlery room and a hay and straw loft. Tn the first and second storeys and stair cases linoleum is laid down. A different constable each day is set apart to keep the place in good order, and in the afternoon a visit of inspection by the inspector takes place. Tn addition there is a cook engaged and also an assistant. A good number of the police being married men the whole of the bedrooms are not occupied. Altogether the police barracks is a building that for comfort cannot be excelled, and with the billiard room, library, and new means of having a social chat it should all tend to raise the men in ♦he local force. At present Sub-In-spector Wilson continues located in ♦he High-street station, and the lockup keeper and cells remain in the same building.