82
5. Before preparing the Contract Drawings for the Superstructure, Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs enquired what the wishes of the Government were as to the use of stone in the facades, adding that they would much like to have all the cornices, &c., and dressings throughout executed in granite but they feared that this would be out of the question if the cost was to be strictly limited to the sum of $500,000. They further stated that the same remark applied, though in a less degree, to the use of steel and the better classes of wood. They enquired whether they were to regard the sum mentioned as more or less binding or whether, in a building of such a character, materials of a more lasting character than those generally employed should be used.
6. His Excellency Sir Henry Blake, to whom, as Governor, the matter was referred, considered that a very important public building such as this should be of the best and Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs were accordingly instructed that they might provide in the first instance for the use of first-class materials and of granite where they deemed it desirable to introduce it on the principal fronts. Should the tenders prove to be much in excess of the estimated cost, it would afterwards be considered what modifications, if any, should be made in the materials to be used. It was thought that the sum of $500,000 should cover the cost of first-class materials and permit of a fairly handsome exterior.
7. Up to the 31st December 1909, when their engagement as Architects was terminated by mutual consent, Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs prepared the drawings, specifications and bills of quantities for the work and the requisitions for materials required from England.
8. To facilitate the erection of the building, it was arranged that a contract for the Foundations should be let separately and Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs prepared plans accordingly. The proposals which they originally submitted for the foundations were con- sidered to be in excess of requirements and they were materially reduced at the instance of the Director of Public Works with a view to keeping within the estimate. The number of piles was reduced, the width of the concrete foundations curtailed and brick footings were substituted for stone.
9. Tenders for the modified proposals were called for in September 1903 and the amount of the lowest received, after correction of arithmetical errors, was $174,170.86. In view of the large excess over their estimate ($122,000, including drainage), the matter was referred to Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs, who obtained a tender amounting to $134,001.04 from a Contractor who had not previously tendered and whom they recommended as being capable of carrying out the work. This tender was accepted in November 1903.
10. In February 1905, Messrs. Denison, Ram & Gibbs forwarded the drawings, specifica- tions, &c. for the Superstructure and they were then requested to furnish an estimate of the cost of the building based upon the documents submitted. Their estimate, dated 17th April 1905, was as follows:
Contract for Superstructure as planned with additional storey
and with all mouldings to level of top parapet in granite,. $620,000 Heating to Public Hall and Treasurer's Clerks' Office,
Electric Lighting including plain fittings and lamps,
Electric Bells (3 Entrances and living rooms on Second Floor), Lightning Conductors,
750
10,000
250
950
Lifts including fixing,
8,500
Drainage,.
500
Sanitary fittings,.
4,000
Water Supply,
500
Post Office fittings and Contingencies,
2,500
$647,950
to which had to be added
Contract for Foundations,
134,000
Extras on same,
I greater length of piles,
13,000
concrete and asphalt floor of basement,
21,000
Total, exclusive of Architects' fees,
.$815,950
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.