NEW POST OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 10

NEW POST OFFICE

Modern Building For Lower Hutt ESTIMATED COST £54,000 Advice that, plans have been prepared for the erection of a now Bost Office building in Lower Hutt at an estimated cost of £54,000, has been received bv the Minister of Finance, in Ins capacity as M.T. for Hutt, from the Postmaster-General. Mr. Jones. The proposed site of the new buildings is at present occupied by tlie borough conncil depot, and tlie adjacent church, and has a frontage of 70 feet on High Street, and a depth of 193 feet 6 inches.

"Consideration of town planning requirements, and the rapid degiee ol business expansion in the Hutt A alley, said Mr. Nash, "have led 'the architect to provide a rounded approach giving a maximum of visibility and facility for the passage of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Tlie reinforced concrete structure, three stories high, follows those curves, and'at Hie same time strikingly exploits the latest developments in building materials. Glass bricks are to be extensively used, tlie whole design affecting a pleasant compromise of dignity and solidarity, designed ou the lines of the most recent works in contemporaneous architecture abroad.

"The ground floor is planned to accommodate Post Olliee and public requirements, and includes accommodation for a railway bus depot, cycle storage, and space for a central heating plant; the upper doors will be sublet and subdivided to tenants’ requirements. Lighting is to be provided by the most modern type of fittings. “With the rapid growth in population and business activity of the Hutt Valiev during recent years, more adequate and up-to-date postal premises have for some time past been urgently needed.” added Mr. Nash. “It is pleasing to lie able to announce that Hits need is now to be mot In a manner which I feel sure will be generally agreed is fully in keeping with the progressive spirit of a busy community. From the point of view of a rehiteetural design, as well as better service to the public, the now building should Pjoxe a distinct asset to I lie Hutt district. (Picture on Page 7.)