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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2860, 26 August 1916, Page 3

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PROGRESS BEING MADE DEMANDS OF MEMBERS READY FOR NEXT SESSION?

Before the end oE last session the Minister of Public "Works (Mr. Fraser) was badgered a good deal by members about the slow progress being made with the construction of the new Parliament Buildings. Ono of the requests was that he should hasten the construction work in order that the chamber and lobby of the now building might be ready for occupation next session. Mr. Fraser incurred the iro of certain members because he refused to admit that this was a thing that should be ordered or decided out of hand, but he promised to consider the mattor very fully, and this lio has done.

His advice is that no certain opinion as to whether the completion of the chamber ready for occupation next session can be formed until the roof is on the building. One of tho difficulties that may be encountered in any endeavour to hasten the roofing of the building will possibly be in the delivery of certain steel work for the big dome over tho chamber.. These steeT supports aro being made in a Wellington shop, but owing to their sizo work on them has to he done out of doors, and owing to the persistent wet weather almost a month has been lost in this work. Three of these stool supports aro already in position, but there aro altogether eleven required for the framework of the dome. When this is finished the rest of' the roofing will be easy, and progress will be rapid. Then it will be possible to say whether the inside finishing of the. chamberplastering, etc.—can be done in time, There is other work to ho done also in providing for the lighting and heating of tho chamber. Tho completion of this work for a. part of ihe building before the _ whole is completed will present certain difficulties, but it is not expected that theso will be insuperable. Mr. Fraser states that if it is at all possible to have the work done within the required time he will do all in his power to see that it is done. He will make sure, for instance, that as many mon as are available, or as can be profitably employed, arc put on the works.

Tho present progress of the building is by no means slow, and the marblefronted walls are now rising to a considerable heighfc at a perceptible speed. It is already evident that the building will he a handsome, even a noble, pile. The marble is greyish, but of good dense texture,.and if it keeps its present good appearanco it should rank as one of tho finest building stones procurable. For this work it has not been procured without mishap or trouble. So great were tho difficulties that strong pressure was brought to bear on the Minister to abandon the idea of using it for the building. Mr. Fraser insisted, and having satisfied himself from tho reports of Departmental experts that stone was procurable in a quarry more distant from the sea front than that at first opened up, he helped the quarry people by lending tho money wherewith to construct a tramway. Now the stone is being obtained in very fair quantity, and of excellent quality, and Mr. Fraser has lately taken steps to ensure still larger deliveries.

The agitation for a. quick completion of the new chamber came from certain members mainly, but was supported by almost every member in the House. Everybody suffers from the bad air of the present chamber, which can never bo efficiently ventilated, and last session a very 'persistent epidemic of sickness, which prostrated leading members of the Ministry in turn and very many members as well, caused the demand for better quarters to bo madewith considcrable'force. However, Mr. Fraser says that the new building is to be a very' line one, to stand for hundreds of years, and he will not allow any considerations of liasto to interfere; with the proper carrying through of the work. In any event, oven if the chamber is finished, members will still be uncomfortable. The only retiring rooms of any sort will he those now in use, and to get to the chamber members will still have to run the gauntlet of icy draughts in unheated passages.