THE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1741, 18 September 1879, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

The following are the particulars asked for by Cr. Ayers with reference to the Town Hall designs. July 17th, 1879— Committee o£ whole Council. 1. Resolved, that the whole Council be a committee to act as judges of the designs. 2. Resolved, that the following gentlemen bo asked to aid the Council in the selection of the designs: —Messrs J. Ollivier, Izett, Harman, Gould, A. Duncan, J. Anderson, F. Hobbs, C. Ciark, H. Thomson, and W. Strange. July 22nd—At Messrs Ford and Co.’» Rooms, Hereford street. 3. Resolved, that this committee proceed to the selcc ion of six designs by ballot. The following was the result of the ballot : Bobbie Burns, 18; Well Considered, 17; Pro Patria, 14; Avon, 11; Each Bird, Ac., 10 j Composite, 8 ; Hil Desperandum, 63 Hat

Timore, &0., 6; Trebor, 3 ; Fidelias, 2 sjlch Dien, 2 ; City Seal, 2 ; Bor not to B, 1; Multurn in Parvo, 1 ; Credina, 1; All Speed, 14. Resolved, that a committee of (9) nine bo elected to consider tho selected designs, to be composed of four of the City Council, and four of the invited judges, and his Worship the Mayor. . . , . , 5. Resolved, that the whole body proceed to the election of the committee. The following is the lesult of the ballot: —J. Ollivier, 16; F. Jenkins (Or.), 16 ; A. Ayers (Or.), 15 ; B. Cass (Or.), 14 ; J. Izett, 13 ; R. J. 8. Harman, 12 ; Jas. Gapes (Or.), 12 ; H. Thomson, 9 ; F. Hobbs, 7 ; Wm. Strange, 4; Wm. Clifford (Or.), 2 ; R. Binstead (Or.), 2 • J. Anderson, 1; O. Lezard (Or.), 1; Wm. Tremayne (Or.), 1; A. Duncan, 1 ; Wm. Wilson (Or.), 1. The first eight gentlemen were declared elected. 6. July 25th, 1879—The designs committee —Resolved, that two quantity surveyors be appointed to report upon the probable cost of the several designs for the consideration of the committee or otherwise. 7. Resolved, that Messrs Drewett and Hubbard be appointed quantity surveyors, on condition of their terms being acceptable to tho committee, such terms being indicated as at two guineas each for six hours. 8. Resolved, that the Mayor, Mr Ollivier, and Mr Jenkins, arrange with Messrs Hubhard and Drewett for the taking quantities of the six designs. 9. July 26th —Sub-committec Resolved, That £6O be paid to the gentlemen _ for taking out the quantities of the six designs chosen. The work to be done as soon as possible. 10. August 26th The original designs committee—The report of the quantity surveyors was read, and it stated that none of the designs could be carried out for the sum in tho conditions, viz., £20,000. Resolved, “ That this committee, after a careful examination of the several plans, are of opinion that none of them come within the limits laid down by the City Council. Tho opinion of the quantity surveyors fully supports the committee in this view, and they therefore desire to suggest to the City Council the propriety of adding to the amount already voted for the construction of the public buildings required for the city a further _ sum of £15,000, making the limit for the city buildings £35,000. For this sum the committee are of opinion that a suitable and elegant building could be provided that would meet the present and for some years to come all the requirements of the city.” The report of the surveyors was as follows:

Hereford street Chambers, Christchurch, August 13th, 1879. To the Chairman and Members Town Hall Designs Selection Committee. Gentlemen, —Having been honored with instructions to furnish you with an approximate estimate of each of the six selected designs, and to report at the same time if each of them have complied fully with the printed conditions issued by the Council to competitors in April last, also to point out any defects or advantages we may notice with regard to the arrangement of the various apartments and the general convenience of each building, We have the honor to state that although our report may have been delayed somewhat longer than the committee anticipated, we have been occupied closely and entirely upon the matter for the past fourteen days. The difficulties we have encountered in following some of the designs, in the absence of detail drawings and specifications, have considerably retarded our progress. We refer more particularly to two or three of the designs which represent several internal walla on the upper floor to be built upon the wooden floor only, without any girders to carry them, which has necessitated a great many calculations to ascertain the strength and values of girders required in each case, also several other defects in construction, which will be observed in the report following each estimate attached hereto, taken in the order of their selection by the committee, the amount arrived at by detail measurement and valuation being kept distinct from the approximate measurements and valuations, making up the total estimates. In conclusion we would beg to observe that onr estimates include fire proof floors over the cellarage, which we have deemed _ absolutely necessary to the security of the building, owing to the inflammable nature of the goods likely to be stored therein. All roofs to be covered with slates, lead gutters, &c., and everything essential to the completeness of the building, inclusive of heating apparatus, gas ventilation, electric bell, clock in tower, drainage, &c. And we venture to state that we are of opinion that unless the superficial area of the building be limited and consequently all offices of small dimensions, cellars omitted, and the exterior be perfectly plain, it is impossible _ to fulfil the condition issued by the Council, viz., bhe expenditure shall not exceed .£20,000. We have the honor to be. Gentlemen, Tour obedient servants, Jno. H. DREWBTTIg W. P. Hubbard > Purveyors. Appended to the above report were the following estimates No. 1. Approximate estimate of design “ Bobbie Burns.” —By detail measurement and valuation, .£10,000; by detail approximate valuation, £20,000 —total amount estimate, £60.000. , . There are a few discrepancies between the plans and sections, such for instance as the stage on ground plans, which is represented to have a depth of 17ft. 6in., whilst the section only represents it to be 1 Oft. Sin. The tower on ground plan, from outside of front wall to outside of back wall is shown to be 20ft. 6in., whilst the section represents it to be 24ft. 6in. More etair accommodation at north end of building would be an improvement. These discrepancies could be remedied in the carrying out of the works, but the stage could only be 10ft. Sin, in depth. The town hall, supper room, mayor’s court and council chamber are all arranged very conveniently upon the ground floor, and very extensive cellarage is provided in the basement. This design complies fully in every particular •with the conditions issued by the Council, and several spare rooms in addition are provided, all offices being well proportioned and spacious Approximate estimate of design by “ Well Considered ” —By detail measurement and valuation, £33,000; by approximate measurement and valuation, £15,000 —total amount of estimate. £48,000. This design does not comply with the conditions in the matter of the stipulated sizes of the town hall. Mayor’s Court, supper room, and Council Chamber, being deficient in superficial area to the extent of 1973 feet, as follows : Conditions provide for Designs Deficient sup. feet, provide, area. Council chamber 2400 ... 2080 ... 319 Mayor’s court.,, 2400 ... 1736 ... 664 Town hall ... 7200 ... 6720 ... 480 Supper room ... 2100 ... 1890 ... 510 Total deficient area 1973 ft. If this deficient area was provided an additional cost would be incurred (at the same rate per foot super as the above estimate works out) of £3199, making a total coat of £51,199. At the same time, we wish to call the attention of the committee to the fact that the design provides more accommodation than asked for, that would counterbalance the above apparent deficiency. The town hall, supper room, and Mayor s court, are conveniently arranged on the ground floor, all offices are well proportioned and spacious, and good cellarage is provided. Approximate estimate of design by “ Pro Patria.”—By detail measurement and valuation. £38,000; do, approximate measurement and valuation, £4000; total amount of estimate, £42,000. . The following defects in this design present themselves —All working offices are very small, for instance, the draughtsman’s and rate collectors’ rooms are only 15ft. x lift. Several brick walls on upper floor have no walls beneath to support them, which would necessitate girders showing below, and cutting up the ceiling area below, in some cases in very objectionable and unequal divisions. W.C. aoeommoda-: tkm insufficient- Council Chamber is lighted by a skylight over half its area, at one end only, and has six iron columns in the body of same. Committee rooms off Council Chamber not lighted. No fire-place in kitchen. Muniment room for surveyor only 7ft. x sft., and has two windows in same in external wall of building. Council Chamber is only 16ft. 6in. high. Mayor’s Court has four iron columns in body of .same. No lights or entrance to cellarage provided. Corridors on ground floor insufficiently [lighted. The perspective view is very much •exaggerated, representing deep breaks back not (provided on the plans. The town hall and fiqjspor room being situated on tho first floor we consider very objectionable. This design complies with the conditions with the following exceptions : —Tho Mayor’ Court is 3ft. short of the specified width, and no caretaker’s storeroom is provided. Good cellarage la provided, although lights and entrances to same are absent, as above stated. Tho Mayor’s Court and Council Chamber are conveniently placed upon the ground floor. The above estimated amount of £42,000 includes external walls built entirely of stone, as description accompanying plans stipulated. If the external vails wore to bo faced only with stone a reduction would be made of £12,000, making total estimate amount to £30,000. Approximate osiimato of design by “ Avon ” All by detail, measurement, and valuation, £30,000. Note. —Wo would suggest that the entrance hall bo continued through tho supper room to

afford better ingress and egress to town hall, also another exit from centre _of hall on to Oxford terrace. No cellarage is provided. The town hall is 30ft longer than stated on conditions, and might be curtailed to that extent with advantage, affording tetter light to supper room, and not affecting the general appearance of the elevation. We should also recommend the organ chamber to be placed at the east end of the hall, and transpose the entrance to same, together with ladies’ and gentlemen’s retiring rooms, to the west end. The above alterations would not in any way affect the elevations. By curtailing the hall as above 30ft, and transposing the entrance, better accommodation for vehicles at the then Victoria street entrance to hall would be afforded, and a reduction of .£2500 would ho effected, making the total estimate .£27,500. All tho rooms are in accordance with the conditions. Town hall in excess as above stated. The town hall, supper room, and Mayor’s court are conveniently placed on the ground floor, and council chamber on the first floor. All the offices for treasurer and town clerk, which are the most frequented by the public, being contiguous and conveniently placed on the ground floor, and the surveyor’s offices on the first floor, all rooms being well lighted and spacious. Approximate estimate of design by “Each Bird her Nest Esteemeth Best” —By detail measurement and valuation, ,£32.000 ; approximate measurement and valuation, .£18,000; total amount of e-timate, ,£50,000._ The only objection that presents itself in this design is tho lighting of the town hall at the ends only. . Note—All rooms are provided in accordance with conditions, and several spare rooms in addition. Ample cellarage is also provided. Tho town hall and Mayor’s court are placed upon the ground floor, and supper room and Council Chamber upon the first floor. This design has been thoroughly thought out in every particular Approximate estimate of design by “ Composite.”—All by detail measurement and valuation, JE31,000. Note. —This design does not comply with the conditions in the matter of the stipulated sizes of tho town hall, mayor’s court, supper-room, and Council chamber, being deficient in superficial area to tho extent of 3664 ft., as follows : Conditions Design Deficient provide, provides. area. Council chambers 2400 ... 1717 ... 682 Mayor’s court ... 2400 ... 1715 ... 685 Town hall ... 7200 ... 5550 ... 1650 Supper-room ... 2400 ... 1754 ... 646 Total super deficient area ... 3664 If this deficient area was provided, an additional coat would be incurred (at the same rate as the above estimate works out) of .£7103, making a total cost of .638,103. No lavatories for ladies or gentlemen provided, and only one W.C. to each. These rooms also have the entrances close to each other, and a borrowed light to each. There are only three W.C’a. provided for the officials on tho ground floor. No W.C’s. for councillors, and the urinals are entered from tho Library and Council chamber direct. There is no light into ladies’ cloak room. Visitors to got into the hall will have to pass up three sets of steps, consisting of throe at entrance door, eight in passe ge, and twenty-five in staircase, and to get from hall to supperroom must go up seven steps immediately outside town hall door. Owing to floor of town hall being at a lower level than tho floor of offices, a series of steps have to be encountered in varans places. The ground plan incorrectly represents the steps at west and north entrances into vestibule and passages. The doorway to west entrance would require e’even steps outside the building, as shown to the south front entrance, instead of three as shown on plan, thus destroying the elevation of the doorway as represented on the east elevation. The cart entrance to basement, west elevation, is not practicable, as the gradient under the most favorable circumstances could not be less than one in six. The town hall is upon a mezzonino floor, and Council chamber and supper room upon the first floor. The Mayor’s court is upon tho ground floor. The caretaker’s offices and kitchen for supper room, &c., being placed in the basement, there are only four cellars available for letting.

Hereford street Chambers, Christchurch, August 21st, 1879. To the Chairman and Members Town Hail Designs Selection Committee. Gentlemen, —In accordance with your instructions to examine and report upon the remainder of the designs, if any of them can bo executed for tho stipulated amount of £.0,000, at the same time complying with the conditions issued, we have the honor to state that we have carefully examined each of the remaining designs, and after reducing the number of them to two as possessing the most inexpensive features, we have computed thair values, and are of opinion that neither of them can be executed for the sum named ; at the same time we wish to mention that the two designs referred to, viz., “Vera pro Grains” and “All Speed,” are about equal, and the lowest with regard to cost, beyond which, however, they possess but few other recommendations. We have the honor to be, gentlemen, Tour obedient servants, W. F. Hubbard, Jno. W. Dkewett.