SUGGESTIONS for HOUSING the DOMINION’S PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 8, 19 August 1908, Page 52

SUGGESTIONS for HOUSING the DOMINION’S PARLIAMENT.

The scheme for the restoration of the old Parliamentary Buildings (in place of the erection of a new building), while allowing for increased accommodation, is estimated to cost £165,000. It provides

for a new front extended nearer Molesworth street. If this extension were to be omitted and the buildings erected with practically the same accommodation as before the fire the cost would be £ 115,000

for steel frame and stone or brick walls. This apparently high cost is accounted for by reason of the large- expenditure which must be incurred in foundation work on the Sydney street side of the

site. AH along the side the ground ig made up of deposited spoil from the cutting of bank on Hill street side, and the foundations in consequence would be very deep and costly. Probably £20,000 to £25.000 would have to be expended on foundations, and this expenditure would all be buried beneath the surface. “In my opinion as an architect a convenient Parliament Buildings cau never be placed on the old site” (the Government architect, Mr. John Campbell, reported). “The lack of breadth on the ground prevents convenient communication between parts, and the necessarily congested arrangement of the apartments prevents the good lighting and free circulation of air, which are absolutely essential in a Parliament Buildings, and which are shown to be capable of achievement in the plan for Government House site.” The cost of the completed new building on the Government House site, according to design here shown, is estimated by the Government Architect} (Mr. J. Campbell) at £lBO,OOO. Thu building would be fireproof and earthquake resisting, having steel frame, stone walls, and ferro-concrete floors, etc. It would not be necessary to erects the whole of the building at present. One portion fronting Charlotte-st. and Sydney-st. could be erected without disturbing the existing Government House building, which latter could continue ta be used for committee rooms, etc., whilst the new part would provide the permanent Chamber of the House of Representatives, rooms for Ministers, Inembers, and a temporary Upper House Chamber, ete. The first half of the new, building would cost £90,006, and would provide ample accommodation, together with the existing Government House, for some six or eight years. This would* be about the lifetime of the latter wooden building, which is now badly, affected with the worm or borer, and fast depreciating, having been in existence about 38 years.