HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (REPORT BY Mr. J. O'DEA UPON THE VENTILATION OF THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, D-03a

D.—3a

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (REPORT BY Mr. J. O'DEA UPON THE VENTILATION OF THE).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, with Leave of the House.

Mr. J. O'Dba to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. "Sir, — Evening Post Chambers, Harbour Street, Wellington, 25th March, 1893. ' In' compliance with your request, I have inspected the Parliamentary Buildings relative to the ventilation, and, after careful examination on three different occasions, I beg to report,— 1. I find that the wire gauze forming the fresh- and hot-air inlets at the foot of the benches is so impeded with dust that it renders it impossible for the air to freely circulate in the chamber when required, and, as a result, assists in forming a down-draught from openings on a higher level. This ventilating-gauze I would recommend to be removed, and the branches cleaned out, and afterwards replaced with new wire gauze and finished as shown now. 2. The ventilation on the roofs and ceilings is by no means sufficient to pump out the air from within the House, and as a consequence it must escape through doorways when others are opened in opposite directions : this of course causes draughts, and can be remedied only by sufficient ventilation in the roofs and ceilings without causing a down-current. I enclose plan of ventilator which I w T ould recommend to be fixed on the roofs and ceilings in place of those already on, which are quite useless, as they had to be closed on account of the down-draught which cause. This ventilator which I recommend is constructed on the siphon principle, and is superior to any of the latest improvements, and moreover I would be pleased to make a practical test for you when convenient, as I have had a model made specially for that purpose. I would recommend two of this plan to be fixed on the roof over chamber, six in the lobbies to the right of the chamber leading to the galleries, and two with branches over the strangers' gallery, and landing outside the reporters' gallery. 3. The side-door on a line with the Speaker's chair on the Opposition side I find to be constantly subject to draughts, and, as a remedy, I would recommend a small portico to be formed inside the door, with hood and green-baize, similar to one on the centre of the same side, but it should be well overlapped on every joint. I would recommend the same to be done to all the doors leading to the galleries. 4. I would recommend a small porch to be built outside the door leading to the strangers' gallery on the south-west side of the building. I have found the draught to be very severe at the head of the stairs and on entering the strangers' gallery; and, as there is no proper outlet at the ceilings, the down-draughts in the chamber are only what may be expected. 5. In conclusion, I may state that, if the above recommendations are carried out, a vast improvement will be effected in the ventilation of the building. I have, &c, To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. J. O'Dea. I estimate the cost of this work at £225. —J. O'D. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,350 copies), 16s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer for the time "being, Wellington.—lS93. Price 3d.]