CENTRAL POLICE STATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 38, 8 November 1917, Page 7

CENTRAL POLICE STATION

AN IMPOSING EDIFICE

CENTRALISING OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS

One of the largest and most modern of Government buildings in the capital city js the new Central Police Station, now on the eve of completion after some three years' work. This building, which covers the old Theatre Royal bluck, and extends from Johnston Street to Waring Taylor Street, has not perhaps been, in the public eye during the long period covering its erection owingl to its being situated off the main thoroughfares, but when it is stated that the coutraot price was in the vicinity of the public will be able to gather that at last the Police Department will have a central home which is a credit to the country. Tho building is so largo that at present it exceeds the needs of the Department for which it has been erected, and the iVational Provident Fund's headquarters staff, and tho Valuation Department, are to bo housed in two of ths Hats on the Johnston Street frontage. The new block is an imposing one. It haa a frontage to the two streets named of 104 ft. and a depth of 170 ft:, and is wholly built over with the exception of a central drill and exercise' court (72ft. x 00ft.) in the centre. On both frontages tho building has a basement and four stories, and tho two main blocks are- joined on tho western side of the courtyard by u . solid annexe tliree stories in height, and containing some 45 cells for male and female prisoners, including some padded apartments for tho more obstreperous clients of the future. Beginning with tho Wariirz Taylor Street frontage, the large and airy basement lias been fitted for the purposes of ii motor garage, which, im itself, points to n development in police transport work contingent upon tho deirands of .tho motor nge. The garage is approached by a graded way from tho courtyard—not perhaps the'best arrangement for cold engine etart3. The enItiuico 'to the courtyard is by a. 13ft. cartway, which is guarded by strong ornamental iron gates. The ground floor consists of roomy well-lighted offices for Hie district officials find local police. Thera is a largo charge room, from which separate corridors lead to the cells assigned for male and female prisoners (in tho central block or annexe referred to). Horo, too, aro the. offices of tho subinspector, the detectives, and the sergeants of police, arranged in ii manner that makes for convenience and officiency. On the firet floor aro situated ii commodious billiard-room, library, and study designed to make the policeman's lot a happier one thaii dopicted by \f. S. Gilbert, . The nmtroii's quarters aro also located on (ho first floor. On tho second floor there is a fine gymnasium (43ft. by 2."> ft.), with hot and cold bathe handily placed, and more remote are tho kitchen ami diningroom (for the benefit of the mcifibers of the force who will reside on the promises). Thu third floor is divided into cubicles (sleeping apartments) for the police, and special rooms for the Departmental photographer. In tho Johnston Street blf-'.c is also a large basoment designed for l!ie storage of tho records and archives of tho Police Department. On the ground floor suitable offices are provided for the superintendent .of the district and the inspector aml tlieir staffs, together witii quarters for the Departmental storekeeper. The Commissioner and his staff will bo accommodated on the first floor, whore will also bo located the offices of the Police Gazette, records, and the finger-print branch. Under tho present arrangement the headquarters staff of tho National Provident Fund is to be accommodated on the second door, and the Valuation Department's staff on the third floor. Tho existence of tho courtyard in the centre of the block gives ample light to all the interior offices. The building, which is constructed on the internal steel frame principle, is a solid structure of brick and steel, with Teinforced conoreto floors and stairways throughout, which, with the white plastered walls, should mako it practically fireproof. The roof is of asbestos tiles, and all the window sashes are of.steel. The style of architecture is attractive and dignified. Tho finish is. of red pressed brick, relieved by the' whole of the ground floor elevation 'and all other elaborations being finished in creamcoloured "Atlas" cement. Dignity is added to the design by each frontage being ornamented by half a dozen classic columns (which traverse the first and second floors), ,i heavy cornice, tasteful pilasters, and a bold parapet which bears the Royal arms. The only feature which appears to be hardly in accord with the stateliness of the general design are the puny main entrances—live feet'doorways —which could have been twice the width without exaggerating those important features. ■ The foundations of the new structure were laid down by tho Public Works Department; the building itself was erected under contract by Messrs. Trevor Bros., from plans supplied by the Government Architect (Mr. John Campbell). The building has been under way since the middle of 191-1, but owing to war conditions many unavoidable delays have taken place through essential material not coming , to hand in time. Somo of the Departments mentioned arc to take possession almost immediately, but the Police Department will probably not move into its new quarters until after the Christmas vacation.