OUR NEW COURT HOUSE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1516, 23 October 1883, Page 2

OUR NEW COURT HOUSE.

This building, which" is to replace the present delapidated and diminutive Court i of Justice, has at last received; its finishing touch from the hands of the contractor, Mr A. Cleghorn, The original idea of the Department was to squeeze the Court house in Sergeant McArdle's front garden, This was abandoned when the space was found to be'limited, and the town hall site being, vacant convenient arrangements were made between the Government and the Town Lands Trust for the use of that site. As the contractor proceeded with the; erection of the building, innumerable difficulties cropped up that caused loss to him and retarded the progress of the work. Among these was an endeavor on the part of the Borough Council to enforce the building regulations, and compel iron sides to be used in its construction, After considerable delay, the Government got the best of the argument, and the contractor carried out the original plan by erecting ft wooden building in the centre of the town. No special order in architecture was studied in the preparation of the plans. The most that can bo said is, that it is modorn, decidedly modern, and the appearance of tho building from Hall-street does not strike one very favorably, presenting as it does a gableended main building, with prominent eaves, and three windows-a large one in the centre, with a smaller one on oaoh side, Projecting from the main building on each side are hip-roofed buildings, containing the necessary rooms for the Court officials, Each of these projections has a porch, by which entrance is gained to the hall of justice. This room is 25 x 35, with 17 feot stud, and to assist its acoustic properiioa it has a domed ceiling. The ventilation has received special attention, there being three ventilators in the ceiling, one in eaoh corner of the room, and six small windows in the back and sides of the building, hung on the centre. The bench, which is made to accommodate three judges, is situated at the southern end of the room, and is raised several inches above tho main floor, The clerk's desk and counsel tables are directly in front, tho latter being a wellfinished and convenient piece of furniture, having drawers in each side for the use of the Bar, the top being inlaid with cloth. The jury box (to accommodate twelve) is on the right of the bench near the entrance, and the Press accommodation on the left: this consists of a portable neat (after tbe orthodox church style) 1 '

highly polished table, (with drawers) and is intended to carry four reporters, The public have a Bpace 25 x 10 railed off, with a Beat around tho wall, access being gained by each of the front entrances, Rooms are provided for judge, magistrate, jury, bailiff and clerk, the four former being about 12 x 12, and the latter 1C x 12. These are at present being furnished, and by the time Mr Jago has carried out bis inalrqctionß there will be an airof oomforrabout" the surroundings of ths Court. A strong room, 10 r 6 x 6 has been built adjacent to the clerk's room, with 14 inch brickwork walla; lath and-phi* tared so a preventive against the-damp;' it has a massive Iron door, and iron stays across the domed t'oof, : If the outward appearance of the building has not beon studied the inside has at least received great attention, for it is finished off in • manner that is creditable to all connected with it. The building throughout is dadoed to a height of abont three feet sjx inches, the upper walls being matohlinedi The dadoed portion is varnished, the walls painted a Frenoh grey, and the ceilings white flattened, forming an agreeable contrast, The timber used, in the whole of the fittings is well-seasoned 'Rimu, the grain of which shows up well under the influence of polish and varnish. Fireplaces have been provided in each room, the Court room having two, one oh eaoh side. Speoial economy has ; been exercised in the construction of the chimneys, in one instance as many aa three fireplaces have been made to one chimney stack. Although the Depart* menl hare ignored the Borongh'Bmldihg Regulations, they have as a. preventative againet fire, painted the outside of. the building with Abeatos paint. Tlii? .paint forms a fire proof coat when dry,; butiri this instance it is unfortunately peelibg off, and does not improve the appearance of the building. Mr Oleghorn • has finished his work in a manner; tha deserves especial praise, and if we have not got an ornamental Courthouse, we have one that for finish and internal , arrangements will bear those favored with more exterrjgw