THE SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5378, 22 June 1878, Page 2

THE SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,—Although the subjoined letter, addressed to me by Mr. Jas. Lookie, is connected with business, yet the statement is one of some public interest. I beg, therefore, you will do me the favor of publishing it for general information.—l am, &c., B. J. Duncan. Wellington, June 21. “ Wellington, May 5, 1878.—8. J. Duncan, Esq.—Dear Sir, —In compliance with your request, I have examined the block of buildings comprising the Supreme Court and offices, and find them built of ■ the very best and most durable of colonial timber, viz, totara, matai, and rimu, on brick foundations, with roof and back and side walls covered with corrugated iron, the front with totara boarding. The whole buildings are in a perfect state of preservation, and in very good repair. I consider the cost of erecting such a building at the present time would be £SOOO (five thousand pounds), and this building, with very trifling exceptions, is as good as when it left the hands of the builder. If it is your intention to sell the property by auction, I would advise putting the land and buildings up in one lot, because the buildings would be easily convertible into offices, or, in fact, many purposes; whereas, if sold to be removed, they would not be worth more, in my opinion, than from £l5O to £2OO. —I am, &c., James Lockie.”