CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10] — Page 188

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First Floor.

The first floor is taken up by two departments, those of the Treasurer, and the Registrar-General; and these are kept entirely distinct and self-contained; the corridor to the right of the Public Staircase leading to the Treasury offices; whilst that to the left leads to the Registrar-General's depart- ment. Two separate stone staircases, leading from the private road upon the west of the site, give access for the Chinese to either department. The flat roof over the sorting rooms provides a large open emigration yard, and a covered verandah, with wait- ing rooms attached, affords accommodation for Inspectors under the Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance. This is in close proxi -mity to the separate entrance from the street.

Lavatory accommodation is provided for Beals of Depart- ments, for European Staff, and for Chinese Staff.

Intermediate

An Intermediate floor facing the private lane is provi- Floor. ded for the accommodation of the office 'boys' or messengers. The

wall facing the open area is left without window openings; and this Chinese residential part is thus absolutely cut off from the official buildings, with which these quarters are in communica- tion only by means of a staircase leading to the floors above and below.

Second Floor.

Elevations.

The greater part of this floor is taken up with the offices of the Sanitary Department, but two good rooms are provi- ded for the Auditor's Department; and adequate provision for the Education Department; the Examination Room being immediately adjoining the staircase for Chinese.

The quarters for the Chief Post Office Clerk are also situated upon this floor, and consist of four good rooms and a bath room. These are completely self-contained having an entrance door at the top of the rain staircase, and a back entrance for servants at the top of the back or Chinese staircase. The Fublic Departments can thus be completely closed at night without in- terfering with the coming and going of the occupant of these

rooms.

The Elevations are designed in what may perhaps be best described as a free treatment of the English Renaissance; Amoy bricks to be used for all facing surfaces instead of plaster. An Attempt has been made to break up the monotony of Elevation. in- cidental to the constant repetition of verandah openings by slightly projecting some features; and by contriving a broken sky line; the gables providing the much to be desired light and ventilation for the interior of the roof.

The lighting of the entire building to be by Electric Light. Complicated system of artificial heating and ventilation .in a building well provided with window openings, and surrounded

by

4

Lighting and Heating.