IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARLIAMENT HOUSES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4457, 2 July 1875, Page 3

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARLIAMENT HOUSES.

During the past Aw weeks carpenters have p n busy in the Parliament Houses, making extensive alterations and improvements for the comfort and convenience of members during the ensuing session. In the Legislative Council chamber the alterations have been trifling, and do not call for more than a mere passing notice ; but in the Representatives’ chamber much has been done. It has been altogether . remodelled, so far as the arrangements for members are concerned. The two side doors •nt the western end leading to the library, re-freshment-room, and similar apartments, have been taken out, and in lieu of them a pair of large folding doors have been placed in the centre of the wall, and directly opposite the Speaker’s chair. From this door a passage between the seats leads to the floor of the house, in which passage will be placed, when occasion requires, the bar of the house. Instead of all seats being on the same level as heretofore, they are newplaced upon permanent raised platforms, -ft vine four rows of seats on either side. Thus the two front rows are a step above the floor, and the other two rows each a step above the other, so that the fourth row is three steps from the floor of the house. The is ■ divided in the middle by a passage running north and south, and the seats on the western side form what may be termed the Ministerial and .Opposition corners. To the east of the passage is placed the table of the heprse, the Ministers table, and the Government land Opposition benches. These latter are raised similarly to the seats bn the western side, but run longitudinally, instead of being placed semicircularly as ' those ' on the western side are. The whole of the members seats are new, and are designed to matcbl the Speaker’s canopy, having spiral or twisted legs, the upholstery being of the very best description. They are all covered ‘with maroon morocco skins, expressly imported by the Government for the purpose. Small tables of Gothic design, similar to those in use in the Legislative Council chamber, are provided for each seat, fitted with drawers and Chubb’s patent locks, so that each member will have his private drawer. The Ministers’ table and the table of the house are also new, of Gothic design, having cloth covers glued within margin, and like the members’ seats and tables, are of heart of kauri pine, French polished. The most striking feature in the whole work is the highly ornamental canopy of Gothic design, within- which the Speaker’s chair is to be placed. This has coupled spiral or twisted pillows on either side, supporting a cusped and perforated arch in front, and a plain arch at the back ,of the chair. The caps are foliated, and a foliated hand to match extends round the canopy, with a springing to the plain arch, in. which will be placed the 1 loyal Arms. On either side of the chair proper (an ordinary easy chair, in harmony with the mem-' hers’ seats,) are shelves for works of reference, and in front a desk corresponding ■with the architecture of the canopy. The structure is exceedingly elegant, and a fine specimen of the skill of Mr. W. H. Clayton, the colonial architect, from whose drawing it has been 1 built. Between the members’ seats plenty of space has been left, so that gentlemen may enter their places, or move from one spot to another without inconveniencing other members. Under past arrangements, members, when a division has been called, have had to pass either to the right or to the left part of the house, according to the side on which they vote, but two division lobbies have been constructed, and both ayes and noes will go_ forth from the chamber into their respective lobbies,' The chamber is heated as before, the warm air being admitted through cast-iron air gratings round the rise of the first platform. The whole of the work has been carried out under contract by Mr. Duff, of Lambton-quay, the Colonial Architect supervising, and it is thoroughly well done, the canopy especially exhibiting a finish rarely met with in colonial furniture.