General Post Office, Wellington.

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 9, 1 July 1911, Page 735

General Post Office, Wellington.

Wellington’s new General Post Office, to cost over £90,000, is well advanced, but we regret to learn is not likely to be in use for many months. The walls have reached roof-height, but an enormous amount of work has to be done, and the flat roof has yet to be constructed. According to a paragraph, which obtained currency this week, there is delay because the Government officials are uncertain whether they will strengthen the roof. The facades are looking very handsome.

The Minister of Public Works said the other day, apropos of delay:—“The kind of roof required was fully detailed on the contract plans, and there is no intention whatever of making any alteration in the design.” This firmly. He added: “It is understood, however, that the contractors, without consulting the officers of the Public Works Department, ordered expanded metal different from the kind specified in the contract. No doubt they found some trouble in getting this material in the length required, unless it is specially made. There has been no. hesitancy whatever about the Public Works Department. The statement that the contractors put in a price for strengthening the roof some time ago, but have been delayed because no decision was arrived at, is absolutely contrary to fact. Messrs M. and A. Wilson have been negotiating -with the Resident Engineer to be allowed to substitute some other material for the No. 10 expanded metal which was provided in the contract. They ordered No. 8 metal, which could not be allowed. A clause in the contract provides for the use of steel reinforcing rods in lieu of expanded metal, and no doubt the contractor will be called upon to carry out the terms of his contract in its entirety without being asked to submit any price, as the contract already provides the terms on which the roof is to be constructed.

“If men are being discharged it cannot be because the roof is not being constructed, as it could not be proceeded with until the three big cranes and staging at present in use in connection with the masonry work are pulled down. This apparently cannot be done for a considerable time. Blaming the Government, for this is only on a par with the usual daily misrepresentations having the . same object. The Government is paying £SOOO a year for accommodation for its postal , officers in Wellington, so that it is not likely to unnecessarily, delay the completion of its own building for postal use.” With reference to the above, we have nothing to say about “blaming the Government,” for we are not politicians. But there is no reason, we are informed creditably, why the contractors should be blamed. As the Minister himself has pointed out, the cranes and staging still in use prevent further progress with the roof. It is possible that the only trouble is that there are still people in the world who believe that Rome was built in a day.