ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 771, 3 September 1853, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New-Zkalaxder. Sir.—As an old Colonist, and one who feels deeply interested in every movement connected with the pro gress of this Province, I might pet baps take upon me to offer a few remarks respecting the plans selected by the Executive Council as worthy of the prizes decreed to the best designs for a Government House, without subjecting myself to the imputation of being actuated by an v improper or invidious feeling. But, as I was one of the competitors, 1 feel a preliminary word or two of explanation to be necessary, lest it should be supposed that my strictures are occasioned by chagrin and disappointment. Hearing that the decision of the Council had been published, ami that all the plans sent in were open to inspection. I took the opportunity of being in town, to examine and form my own judgment of their respective merits. I regret that the removal of the longitudinal section of Mr. Wood's design prevented me from instituting a more particular scrutiny, but I saw enough to lead me to form the opinion that neither of the chosen plans could be cairied out, and therefore I feel it to be my duty to call tie attention of practical men to this fact; for 1 would not, even by silence, connive at what 1 fear may prove a great public loss, and disappointment. In Mr. Wood’s plan—the portion of the hall and staircase between the columns, appears to be 70 feet long. Over this space ho apparently intends throwing two girders to support the roof and lantern, as shown by tiie transverse section. The size of the girdeis as shewn on the plan, are 12 x 6. Experience has taught practical men that girders of such dimensions avou d not oul.v he insufficient to support any superincumbent weight, but that it would be very unsafe to depend upon their supporting even their own weight. This defect alone, is of such a serious ciiaracD r hat it is quite sufficient to condemn the plan, and therefore I forbear entering into a scrutiny of the other errors in the construction.

The second prize baa been awarded to one of two plans (numbered 1 and 2) sent in by Messrs. Heapby and Baber, The ground plan and section of No. 2 have been removed; my remarks, therefore, apply particularly to No. 1. These designs are undoubtedly (bo production of an artist'of no mean capacity 7, but a superficial glance at the general construction of the building will, I think, be sufficient to satisfy practical men that the designer, though probably a first-rate artist, would be incapable of carrying out bis own conception. The errors of construction are so many and so glaring that I shall particularize but one, ns any practical man may satisfy himself that this building, if attempted to be erected, would inevitably tumble down. 'Hie reception room appears on the plan to be 30 feet wide ; over tins there are joists 12 inches deep; on these—unsupported from beneath—it is contemplated placing the partitions of the upper rooms, which, from their positions, could not be trussed. Joists of such a span and such dimensions would bo subject to groat deflection, and the results would be, in the first place, destruction to tlia ceilings, and ultimately, the downfall of the building. Having pointed out defects which, as an architect of some experience, I could not avoid noticing, 1 trm-t that the Local Government will institute some enquiry into the practicability of the plans before any outlay of the public money is incurred. 1 am, sir, your obedient servant, Wm. Mason. September 2, 1853,