APPROACHING COMPLETION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 828, 28 May 1910, Page 10

APPROACHING COMPLETION.

NEW GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.

Tho new Governor's residence on Mount View is fast approaching completion. It is not a very inviting residence at present, becauso some of tho rooms aro being used as workshops, hammer and saw make a continual discord, papered walls are the exception, and tho grounds are in a state of. litter and confusion. While, from a distance, the building has a finished appearance, internally there is a good deal still to do, but tho work (lint remains undone is of a. detailed character, and a fortnight should see a very great difference in the appearance of the rooms and grounds. A good deal of delay has hoeii caused by tho slowness with which patients have been moved from the old Mount View Asylum. The women patients were removed some time ago, and where onco stood the women's wing is now an unsightly square of bricks and concrete. Porty-six men were transferred to other quarters on Moiidnj 7 last, and theso are tho only patients who have yet left. '

The main entrance to tho.new residence is on tho south side. The drive i'rom Sussex Square, with which good progress lias been made, comes round the. east end of the-building to tho front entrance, and there is also a drive, which will be used especially by tradesmen, from Hospital Itoad. Tho entrance on the north side, reached from Drummoiul Street, which is most popular now, will not be available when tho building is completed, as tho grounds on this side will lie converted into sloping lawns and tho vice-regal, family's private garden. Already a considerable hill has been levelled, and a number of trees removed for the formation of these Inwns. Tho servants' quarters, at the west end of tho building, are now practically completed. Tho servants' bedrooms, which are upstairs, aro among tho few rooms which aro already papered. To the south of tho building part of the old asylum structure is being fitted up for a motor garage and laundry, and tho drive from Hospital Road, which comes close to the garage, is now being formed. Facing northward on tho ground floor, and in the west half of tho building, aro three staff offices, finished except for paint and paper. Opposite them is tho long diningrooni, which is just about to bo fitted with its rimu wainscoting. Tho entrance hall to the residence will also ba wainscoted with rimu. Pacing north is the Governor's office, and further east tliero is a council chamber, which is at present being used for a workshop. Tho ballroom, right at the east end of Hie residence, is tho most backward portion. Thero the plasterers aro still at work, and tho flooring is not yet completed. Abutting on this paTt of tho building is the portion of the asylum structure from which tho patients wero only removed on Monday. Men aro hard at work demolishing this wing. .Along tho northeast front of tho residence aro three drawing-rooms, two of which are separated by a folding door that can 1m thrown open at pleasure. On the northeast comer is tho circular conservatory, now in an advanced state. Tho bedrooms, dressing-rooms, and two nurseries upstairs aro practically completed, except for papering. Most of the staircases aro finished, and the main staircase is almost ready to bo placed in position. It is stated that the building will bo quite finished by tho time his Excellency arrives, though the grounds will doubtless be capable,of improvement for somo time longer.