NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 768, 24 August 1853, Page 2

NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

The anticipation which we expressed in our last—that there would be a willingness on all hands to gratify the public by an exhibition of the whole of the Plans submitted in competition for this important undertaking—has been verified; and we have now the pleasure of stating that all the Plans are open to inspection at the Mechanics' Institute, where they may be viewed daily between the hours of ten and four. A considerable number of our fellow-citizens have already visited the Hall, and the " many minds" of " many men" have no doubt led to various conclusions as to their respective merits; —some leaning to the natural desire that a public erection of this sort should be distinguished by a commanding exterior, which, by its architectural beauty and adornments, would immediately attract the admiration of strangers entering the City; and others (to whose opinion we confess we rather incline) judging it belter, under present circumstances, that the limited amount to be expended on the structure should be devoted to the erection of a substantial building, having the largest attainable amount of internal accommodation, and such as would impress the mind of a new Governor on his arrival with the assurance that here he would have a spacious and comfortable home (ov Wis family residence and for the exercise of hospitality,—while what is more ornamental might be left to be added at a future time, as the representatives of the Province might judge practicable or expedient. We have no wish however, to institute any comparisons, but shall content ourselves with expressing the high pleasure with which we regard the evidence afforded by the Plans, taken collectively, of the existence of so much architectural skill and taste in Auckland and its vicinity. At the same lime, it may be gratifying to many of our readers, who may be unable personally to see the Plans, to be made acquainted with the internal arrangement of that one which the Executive Council have fixed on. The following statement will give a correct general idea of the accommodation which it includes:

The ground floor is occupied by an Entrance Hall 21 feet wide, with a spacious staircase in the centre, which is lighted by a lantern light in the roof. The North front contains a Dining Room 55 feet x 2-2 feet, an Ante-room, 2i x U>, a Drawing Room 38 x 24, another Ante-room 21x10, all communicating with one another and forming a suite of apartments of considerable length. Beyond these, and facing eastward, are a Library 5o feet x 2-i feet, a Breakfast Room and Backs!aircasc. To the rear of the Entrance Hall are a Housekeeper's Room, Butler's pantry, Servants' Hall, China Closet, etc. The greater portion of the western front is occupied by a Reception Room corresponding to the Dining Room in si/.e, and communicating with the Governor's and Private Secretary's Offices. The Kitchens arc detached with servants' Bed rooms over them and cellars below. The upper or chamber floor is occupied by nine Bed Rooms, with the requisite Dressing Rooms, a Bath Room, and a Boudoir over the Library, 33 feet x 22 feel.