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Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 15, 3 August 1848, Page 2

"A Portable House.—On Friday the surveyors of the Board of Ordnance inspected a splendid house, now constructing by Mr. Manning, of High Holborn; in the timber yard of Mr. Richardson, in the Commercial Road. The house is wholly of wood, and will shortly be taken to pieces and transported to New Zealand, where, when set up, it will form the government house of the colony, and will be first inhabited by Captain Hobson, R:N., who has been sent out by the government some months since as " British resident" in New Zealand. It is larger, more convenient, and more substantial, than the portable house made for the Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena. Its dimensions are 120 feet in length, 50 feet in breadth, and 24 feet in heightb- The best Norway deals are used in building, the massive frame work, upright posts, and roof ot which are all bolted and screwed together in each a manner that although as it now stands it is as firm as any edifice in London, every portion ofit ojay be disconnected and egiin connected, if required, in an Almost incredible shore space of time. The sides, too, are inclosed with stout planking, so fitted together that the shrinking of the wood cannot render the walls less tight, and when painted on the outside they will have the appearance of massive masonry. The roof has two coverings one of fir plank, furnished here, and the other of shingle, to be pro» vlded iff the colony. There is but one floor, but the space between the cei'ings and the gable aides of the roof would be easily converted into a range of bedr oms, and even as it is at present would answer as The interior of the building is laid out in 16 rooms, embracing dining and drawing*rooms» dressing, bed, and servants'rooms. There are also a school-room, and clerks' and secretaries' offices. Kitchens are to be built detached from the house. The dining and drawing-rooms are both of great extent, and capable, by opening a large pair of folding doors, of making a very magnificent apartment. The height of the rooms is 12 feet, and their sides are beautiful specimens of partition work, aud every room wilt bs furm*hed with a stove. the marble chimney-pieces, &c. being all ready to setup in the colony. Every article of furniture will be fitted to the hou>e before it ia taken dotvu, and will then sent out with it.

The most injreuirus methods have been taken to prevent the sea air from injuring the doors and parti ions, and no glue is used in their manufacture. There is ingress and egr» ss from each room by French case, merits, of which there are 20 pair in the enure building. The casements are already glazed and furnished with Venetian shutters, opening into the terrace verandah being supported by iron columes, which will give a fine appearance to the building when viewed from a distance. The surveyors of tbe ordnance appeared well satisfied with the bmHing generally, and a vessel, *xpr«s*ly chartered dy government for ihe pur* pose, will convey the mansion to its destination. Its weight is calculated at 250 tons, and its cost 2000/. The interest taken by ihe government in the building of this residetceef a colonial official appears to have given much saiisfucfou to several gentlemen in the east of Loadon interested in the prosperity of the colony forming in New Zealand, and has induced a hope that it will soon be recognised as a British colony, and taken under the direct protection of the government.