Public Trust Building.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 5, 1 March 1909, Page 174

Public Trust Building.

The £30.000 building erected for the Public Trust Office is shown in the accompanying illustration. It is one of the finest in the city, worthy of the better style of architecture so rapidly springing into vogue, and, what is more, worthy of the grand work the Public Trust Department is doing in the Dominion. By the aid of this department the State takes care of the moneys of all and sundry that like to ask, guaranteeing the principal in every case, paying reasonable interest, and charging moderately for its services. Already there are over two millions worth of property in the hands of the department, and the num-

greatly, however, that the new Government House will not be a credit to the Dominion. Nothing is definitely settled as yet, we understand, but it seems too probable that it will be built of wood in the old bad style, from which the best men are always praying to be saved, for which, on the other hand, the "skinflints" of the Dominion, who seem determined to rule Parliament, are always making permanent provision. The new Government House ought to show the world the very best materials procurable in the Dominion, but we fear it will show the worst, as well as not the best possible style. Of course we should like to be mistaken, but the appearances all point the other way.

ber of persons benefited is very large. Mr. Poynton, the head of the department, is the head of a fine staff, through whom he is in touch with the large business committed to his department to the very smallest details. The Public Works Department, which built the new office, has taken advantage of the opportunity to use the best materials in the Dominion. It is an example which might well be followed by all the departments of the State. The new Legislative Council building now being erected does not count, as it is to be only a temporary structure. Therefore, the wood and iron unsightliness of its ' ' Carpenters Gothic may be endured without too much groaning. We fear