THE NEW POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES.
Our notice of the handsome structure which will, in future, be recognised as Tiinaru’s premier ornament, has been reserved until it was fully completed. Last evening the new post and telegraph offices were lighted up for the first time, in tlie presence of a number of ladles and gentlemen, and they arc now ready for immediate occupation. The structure, of brick and cement, although situated in a hollow, is bound to command attention, because it is by far the most pretentious building yet erected in Timaru. In size, substantiality, and elegance, it is acknowledged to be the foremost of its kind in the colony. The design is plain Italian ; the dimensions of frontage is 88ft. by a depth of 66ft. ; while the central clock tower rises 30ft. above all. On this a lime-ball has been erected, which is fitted with the latest and best appliances, so arranged that they communicate directly with the telegraph department, and can thus be accurately regulated. The exterior of the premises has a chaste yet elegant appearance, the ornamental cement work bearing evidence of care and taste. The principal windows are relieved with panelled pilasters, consoles, and cornices; the main cornice is enriched with modillions and dentils, and the tower is a triumph of effective architecture. Having briefly scanned the design, which is one of the numerous masterpieces of Mr 11. A. Lawson, architect, of Dunedin, wo will proceed to describe the interior. Beginning with the basement, which descends below the street level, wo find a storage room for the postal department, largo enough for a splendid ball-room,and,with its concrete floor, iron pillars, and plastered roof and walls, fire-proof enough for a powder magazine. At one end of this chamber are comfortable apartments for the messenger to reside in, gas and coal cellars and a number of dark recesses and closets of weird mysterious and sepulchral appearance, while at the remote extremity closets and urinals of various degrees communicate with the corporation sewer beneath. A couple of vestibules, decorated and lighted up at night with elegant globe swinging lamps,lead from the street to the different departments. The largest, most important, and most central room in the building is the mail room, measuring 58ft. by 2Sft. This is fitted up in a magnificent stylo with counters, tables, mail racks, shelves, pigeon holes, and other accessories too numerous and complex to mention. The private letter boxes at one end, polished and surmounted with elegant panels, resemble a huge organ from the way in which they are finished. Of these there are about 300 available for the public and as only one half arc taken up at present it will be seen that ample provision has been made for the future. The public letter receiving boxes are ingeniously constructed, and in the centre of the large brass plate outside is a glazed frame on which the mail notices will be recorded. Contiguous to the mail room is the money order department ; the post-master’s room ; the telegraph department fitted up with counters tables, shelves, and other appliances ; and a messenger’s room. The second entrance leads to the Customs’ department, comprising a long room, neatly and elegantly fitted up with counters, Ac., the collector’s and landing waiter’s rooms, safes, strong rooms, Ac. A staircase, beaulifully finished in New Zealand woods, by Mr Scott, of Geraldine, leads to the upper floor, on which is situated several rooms, originally intended for the Land Tax department, hut now allotted to the South Canterbury Education Board ; together with instrument, lest, store, ami messengers’ rooms in connection with the telegraph department. The fittings arc strong and substantial, the tables and desks being fastened together with bcdscrcws, and the workmanship' generally as nearly perfection as possible. When the premises arc lighted up the apartments literally glitter with different varieties of native woods,planed, polished and varnished in thchigheststylo of art. The counters have tops and panels of kauri framed with red pine and blackwood mouldings, and they have only to be seen to be admired. But if elegance lias been studied in constructing and fitting up the offices, comfort and convenience lias not been neglected. Mr David Millar, clerk of works, is responsible for a_ series of handsomely designed ventilating plates, with the aid of which walls, floors, ceilings, and in fact every portion of the building, have been judiciously ventilated. In addition to this the premises arc amply lighted
with windows and skylights by day and 06 gas burners by night. The gas fittings arc distinguished for the size of the pipes and tubes—a matter of great consideration. The pendants are handsomely bronzed, relieved with brightly burnished fittings, and have been manufactured by Messrs Anderson and Morrison, of Dunedin. They are the first made by these contractors, and we arc assured that in addition to superior and honest workmanship, they are produced at a cheaper rate - ;than similar fittings can be supplied at if imported. Tlic whole of the gaspipe has been carefully concealed so that where all else is elegance and neatness there is nothing to offend the eye. Messrs Mcßride and Maekay, the plumbers, have evidently performed their share of the work conscientiously and well, and the same remarks will apply to Messrs Ogilvie and Byers, the ironfonnders, by whom the doors of the safes and other heavy fittings were supplied. Every room and recess of importance is fitted up with lavatories of convenient and unique construction, and when the water supply is laid on to the town,the officers will be able to take ample advantage of it. Speaking tubes are arranged so as to bring the different branches into immediate communication with each other, and the instruments of torture for messengers at meal times are as ingenious as they arc formidable. Every room, besides being well lighted, has been fitted up with fireplaces, ami the mantelpieces of imitation malachite and dove marble reminds ns that more than a word of praise is due to Mr Amos, the painter, and bis foreman, Mr Holmes, whose graining and decorative work is simply super!). The work has Icon carried out by the Public Works Department, under the supervision of Mr Austin, of Christchurch, but we need hardly say that the clerk of works, Mr .Miller, has beer, simply indefatigable in bis efforts to leave a lasting record, of good workmanship behind him. The windows arc shaded with Venetian blinds, bn' they arc not up to the mark. The joiners and carpenters' work will bear the closest scrutiny, and reflects no end of credit on contractor iSparroway. Nor will the owners of private letter boxes fail to admire the workmanship of Messrs Harvey and Fceloy, sis evidenced by the fronts of brightly polished kauri .surmounted by beautifully finished panels. The structure reflects the greatest honor on the general contractors, Messrs Tnbb and Targnse, and many will join with us in expressing the hope that the shadow of the new Government buildings in Timarn will never grow less ; Her wings with lengthened honor let her spread, And by her greatness show her builders’ fame.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2326, 31 August 1880, Page 2
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1,182THE NEW POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2326, 31 August 1880, Page 2
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