Enclosure to Governor's Despatch No.838 of the 30th August, 1901.
From the Acting Director of Public Works To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary.
288
0.0. 34153 RE RFC 50 SEF 31 Hon. Col. Secretary.
The foundations of the Law Courts are now advancing towards completion. The level of the ground floor of the building, when completed, will vary from about 2 ft. to 4 ft. above the surface of the ground as it exists at present.
In the construction of the foundations, no provision whatever has been made for the formation of any basement or cellar, except where a chamber is being constructed for the heating apparatus and a staircase giving access to same.
The site is not favourable for the construction of a basement as the ground floor level will only be 10 feet above maximum high-water level and the drainage of a basement floor would therefore be impossible.
Under these circumstances I propose to form no basement whatever beyond what is absolutely necessary for the chamber already referred to.
Here, joists would be required to support the ground floor but the remainder of the ground floor I propose to form with a layer of rough broken stone, or other suitable material, about 12 inches thick, laid on the surface of the ground, above which would be laid the cement concrete flooring and timber boarding.
Where pipes are carried under the ground floor care will be taken to provide access to them, where considered necessary.
The