THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 417
purpose. One is the highest part of the open brow-ment whether they had power to sell the site and
or crest of the hill, immediately beyond the clump of
high Manuka trees overlooking Parnell. The other,
a somewhat lower knoll, also open, adjoining the
Botanical Garden. The Commissioners, after care-
fully inspecting both sites, selected the latter, be-
cause the first appears too much exposed to every
wind, and especially that from the south-west, is
also too near to the boundary of the Domain and the
high road, and looks too directly upon the back
premises of the houses in Parnell. The site selected
is free from most of these objections, and besides,
offers the choice of better ground for a garden to be
attached to the house, and a more retired position for
stables and outhouses. From both sites the views
commanded are exceedingly beautiful, and on either
the new building will be very conspicuous from the
town of Auckland-from the suburbs, and from the
harbour, as well as from the sea approaches to a great
distance, and seen from those quarters, will form a
striking and picturesquely-placed object.
The printed instructions give detailed information
of the accommodation deemed necessary for the
house and offices. (See Appendix B.)

The quantity of land to be exclusively attached to
Government House was the subject of much con-
sideration. Fully appreciating the value, to the
population of the city of Auckland, of free access at
all times for recreation and amusement, to a domain
or park, so finely situated and so admirably adapted
by its natural formation for the production of most
of the varied objects of beauty that can be looked for
in a park or public grounds, the Commissioners were
anxious not to deprive the public of any larger
portion of their park than was absolutely necessary,
by appropriating it to Government House. At the
same time, they considered that an establishment of
the kind proposed could not, with a due regard to
fitness and propriety, be placed within an enclosure
of less than twenty acres. That extent seemed the
smallest that could be given to avoid an appearance
of meanness or undue restriction in the private
grounds that should surround so large a building as
that to be erected. The Commissioners next ap-
pointed a sub-committee, to act in conjunction with
a sub-committee of the Public Domains Board, in
marking out precisely the boundaries of the twenty
acres, with general instructions that they should
leave the Botanical Garden open to the public, as it
has hitherto been. The joint committees were also
instructed to take the necessary steps for the im-
mediate planting of the grounds and otherwise pre-
paring it for the purposes to which it is appropriated.
For the expenses hereby to be incurred, as well as
for the construction of roads and approaches, fences,
&c., to the House, the Commissioners set apart a sum
of £2,000 out of the £25,000 at their command for
the main buildings.

Disposal of present Sites.

The views of the Commissioners respecting the
sale or disposal of the sites of the present Supreme
Court and the present Post Office, shall now be
stated.

The Commissioners being anxious to make further
provision for the cost of the new Post Office, on
account of the heavy expense in the foundations,
rendered necessary in reclaiming the land from the
sea, and also on account of the much larger amount
of accommodation required than they had previously
any very correct idea of, were of opinion that such
further provision, to some extent at least, might be
made, if the site of the present Post Office was sold,
and the proceeds added to the present estimate of
£10,000. They accordingly passed the following
resolution, (on April 13th), enquiring of the Govern-
employ the proceeds in this manner.

"The Secretary was instructed to ask the Govern-
ment whether they have power, under the Public
Offices Act, 1856, to sell the site of the present Post
Office, and to add the proceeds to the amount already
available for the building."

With respect to the disposal of the site of the
present Supreme Court, the Commissioners deemed
that it was time to take measures to realize the
proceeds of this very valuable site, and that the
present time was an advantageous one for its disposal.
They adopted, therefore, the following resolution,
which was also forwarded to the Government :--

"That in the opinion of the Commissioners the
present is an advantageous time for the disposal of
the site of the existing Supreme Court House, with
a view to realize the proceeds of such disposal to-
wards the erection of the new Supreme Court."

ALFRED DOMETT,
Chairman.

July 6, 1864.

APPENDIX A.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS COMMISSION.

The Rules for the conduct of Business.

1. That the Commissioners meet every Wednesday,
   at 3 o'clock p.m.

2. That in case of the adjournment of any meeting,
   notice of such adjournment shall be given by
   the Secretary to the Commissioners, who were
   not present at such meeting.

3. That special meetings may be held as often as
   occasion may require. But that no such meet-
   ing be called except by the direction of the
   Chairman of the then last preceding meeting, or
   by any three of the Commissioners.

4. That the notice of every special meeting shall state
   the object for which such meeting shall be called,
   and that no other business be transacted at such
   meeting.

5. That the presence of not less than five of the
   Commissioners (including the Chairman) shall
   be necessary to constitute a meeting.

6. That if at the expiration of half an hour after
   the time appointed for any meeting, a quorum
   shall not have assembled, the fact shall be noted
   by the Secretary in the Minute Book, and no
   such meeting shall be held.

7. At the commencement of every meeting the
   minutes of the preceding meeting shall be read
   and confirmed.

8. The Chairman shall have an original, but no cast-
   ing vote.

9. Except at a full meeting of the Board, no proposal
   for altering or repealing any resolution of the
   Commissioners shall be entertained, unless
   notice of such proposal shall have been given at
   some preceding general meeting.

Addenda. April 4th.

10. That Dr. Knight and Mr. Newman be appointed
    to act as Auditors.

11. That no responsibility or liability be incurred by
    or on account of the Commissioners, except
    under the authority of a resolution of the Board.

12. And that no payment be made on account of the
    Commissioners, except on a certificate of the
    Auditors.

APPENDIX B.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO ARCHITECTS.

Designs for Public Buildings for the Government of
New Zealand.

Auckland, March 30, 1864.

The Commissioners for the Erection of Public
Buildings invite Architects in this and the adjacent