PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. (From Our Own Correspondent )

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 52

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. (From Our Own Correspondent )

' WELLINGTON, January 3. ' The Hon. Dr Findlay stated to a Post v reporter to-day that Mr Frain's contract for I the Sydney street extension of Parliament , i Buildings (entered into before the wooden [ portion of the structure was destroyed by ' fire) has not been terminated, _ but sus- I pended. Owing to the destruction caused by tne fire the Govefhment architect recommended the stoppage of the work being carried on by Mr Frain, for the reason that the present site of the annexe would, be rather close to Sydney street, and if it was subsequently decided to set baok. the building the existing foundations, would be useless. The Government decided to let • the matter of the stoppage of the contract stand over until the Prime Minister ascertained lhat his Excellency the Governor was prepared to hand over Government House for flic- next session of Parliament. Now that his Excellency has intimated his willingness to do this, the Public Works Department has been empowered to have the work of building the contemplated, annexe stopped on some reasonable basis of compensation-. It is considered, Dr Findlay eaye, that, taking all the circumstances, botih present and prospective, into account, no difficulty will be experienced m making some suitable arrangement with the con- 1 tractor to take over all his material. |