2.
had had at different times Messrs. Wright and Little to assist him. The plan was originally drawn up in consultation with the former Harbour Master and others. The structure contained offices for the Harbour Master and for the Assistant Harbour Master, for the marine surveyors and the boarding officers, and it also contained a correspondence office, entry and clearance office, import and export office, and a junk office, and then there was the Marine Court room in which they were now assembled. There was also a room for the examination of masters and mates for certificates; there was a spare room and quarters for the senior boarding officer and quarters for twenty-six boatmen on the premises. In addition to this, there was a somewhat innovation in the shape of a watch tower from which it would be possible to observe everything going on in the harbour. It was not possible to see anything from the old office.
"The building was designed by Mr. Fisher, and he had heard it said that its architectural features were not commensurate with the size and importance of the building and the work that would be carried out in it. He, however, did not think it necessary that they should put on the face of the building the amount of work that was done in it. He preferred buildings not to be too pretentious and he thought this building was, thanks to Mr. Fisher, in very good taste.
(Applause)
His Excellency concluded with the words "I now, on this 6th day of July, 1906, formally declare this Harbour Office to be opened for the transaction of public business."