THE PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5358, 30 May 1878, Page 2

THE PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS.

From a very early date after the close of the last session of the General Assembly up to the present time, the House Committee has been most assiduous in devising measures for the improvement of both Houses of the Legislature in several important particulars. The first subject that received attention was that of drainage. During the session the complaints were numerous concerning the defective system of : drainage that existed, and steps were taken with a view to effecting some improvement, as well as rendering the ventilation of the House more satisfactory. The old apparatus by means of which air was pumped into the building was cleared away, new drains laid, and the creek or hollow near the main gates filled up with earth which had been excavated from underneath the buildings, It is now believed that the drainage and ventilation will be found to be more conducive than they have ever before been found to be to the health of hon. members and others whose business leads them to be within the. precincts of Parliament tor many mouths in the year. Three large baths have been erected, which will be supplied with cold and hot water, the latter being furnished from the high-pressure boiler in Bellamy’s kitchen. This work has been carried out in the most satisfactory manner by Hr. Haves, plumber, of Lambtonquay. ; ■ ' ’ 1 For Bellamy’s kitchen a large gas stove has been imported from Melbourne, which will be placed in position in the course of a few days. It will be heated by means of ten jets, and the stove is in all respects a fac simile of those used in the Parliamentary Buildings of Victoria. The corridors and chambers of both Houses are being covered with kamptulicon, which is considered to be a great improvement on the eocoanut matting previously laid down. It is doubtful, however, whether the Chambers will not have to be covered with carpeting, in order to smother the noise of hon. members moving about. The matter is still under the consideration of the House Committee, but no decision has been arrived at yet concerning it. The old matting has been taken off the floors of Bellamy’s, the committee-rooms, &0., which have been thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed prior to being covered with new material before Parliament meets. In the new wing, or what is more familiarly known as the old Treasury, extensive alterations are being carried out by Messrs. Scoular and Archibald, the contractors. The strong-room that divided. Major Campbell’s apartment from that of the second clerk assistant, and which answered no purpose save for the storage of broken furniture, &c., has been pulled down, thus making the room used by theseoond clerk assistant (Mr. H.Otterson) very much more spacious than it was before, and providing also a well-lighted passage-way from the Speaker's room to the House of Representatives. The room which was set apart for the use of the representatives of the Press- last session, adjacent to the reporters' gallery, will also'be enlarged, so as to afford full accommodation for the increased number of members of the fourth estate who are ; expected to attend during the next session. As yet, no alterations in the galleries are contemplated, but no doubt Sir William Fitzherbert will do everything in his power to provide suitable accommodation for tho reporters, if it be fouud necessary and possible to increase it. The bricks of which the walls of the strong room in the old Treasury were composed, will be utilised in the construction: of a solid brick foundation, with buttresses, j to “ underpin ” the bottom plates and inner and outer walls of the south elevation of the House of Representatives. The whole of- the alterations are to be finished on or before the 26th of Juno next, subject to a penalty of .£lO per week for every week beyond the time fixed in the' contract. In the" grounds surrounding, the "buildings several improvements have been made, whiohwill add greatly to their beauty. Shrubs have

hceo-planted in ports which wore formerly .Ipmulo cf.folia^, pathway has been formed, wHih affords ingress to, ami egress from the ground at the comer opposite to the residence of the Hoe. Ur. Grace When members from :the yafions parts of the colony assemble iu Wellington next July, they mil perceive that, alike externally and internally, the House Committee have, during the recess, left nothing undone, with the means at their disposal, to ensure the healthy comfort, ana convenience of their brother legislators.