THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 104, 29 May 1909, Page 2

THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE

DESIGN RIDICULED. 1 By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. Till*" design for the new Government Houite was published here this week, showing-along, low building with n red tiled roof. The material is to lie timber and plaster, and the estimated cost is £25,000. Since tlien criticisms have been published from architects and others deriding the building in toto. It is variously described by contemptuous appellations from "a packing case'' to "a post office," and compared most unfavorably with the old building design. It fe announced n,s unworthy of the occasion or its fine site. THE ARCHITECTS REPLY. Wellington. Last Night. Tn reply to .hostile criticisms on the new ffovernment House, Mr. Campbell, the Government architect".' says the working drawings are- actually com. pleted yet. The tint pictures on' which tire disparaging comment was based were reproduced rrom rough geometrical sketches. The purpose was to give a faint idea of the. extent and general arrangement of the Mmildi'iig.s, but they ! could not possibly give anything like a correct impression of how' the finished structure would appear. As n matter of fact, after the rougili sketch was drn.wn the plan- were modified, and the changes include the' breaking-lip of the ridging, ft is possible an unpretentious tower may be added, but this point has not yet 1„.,.n decided. Mr. Campliell 'claim* that wflion the designs are Unified they will provide a, house, which will not deserve the strictures that leave heen passed on the rough incomplete sketches. He also points out that Being restricted to timber instead of brick imposes limitations in the way of securing fmpressiveness or dignity.