CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 477

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There can be no question as to the desirability

of leaving these spaces vacant if possible: but to do this reduces the available building area to 28,865 square feet or 5271 square feet less than plot No 1 which we reported above as being in our opinion inadequate.

459

The only way in which, so far as we can see, the

legal offices may be accommodated upon plot No 2, and the desired area left vacant is to use the ground floer for

offices and place the Courts and their immediate accessories

on a principal floor. Such a position for the Courts is

rendered less objectionable by the fact stated in the memo: by the Director of Public Works that the general public

do not attend the Courts, and that their presence would be

undesirable and is not therefore encouraged.

The accompanying sketch plans show such an

arrangement. Two public entrances give access to a con-

tinuous wide corridor upon which the Land Offices, the Registrar's, Deputy Registrar's and Bailiffs

rooms, and

the room for the clerical staff abut. In the centre a

Prisoners' Receiving room and Cells are placed, and from

the former, stairs lead directly to the Dock in each Court,

so that the prisoners can be brought into, and taken away

from the building, without passing through any portion of

it used by the Public.

A private entrance and special staircase are

provided for the Judge and Bar and Legal staff. And a

companion entrance for the clerical staff of the Registrar

&e could be added in a corresponding position on the West

front if thought desirable.

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