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Tous les autres exempiaires originaux sont filmAs en commenpant par la premlAre page qui uomporte une empreinte d'impretsion ou d'illustration et en terminant par la darnlAre page qui comporte une teJIe empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apperattra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — »* signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des taux de rAduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est filmA A partir de I'angle supArieur geuche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. ata ilure. 1 t2X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 R E x^ O R T OF JOHN PAGE, ESQ., CHIEF BNGINEBR, PUBLIC WORKS, ON %\t |ttbltt ^mlbings at fttatoa. dDttatua . PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & COMPANY 1868. c;^>v ^'-^ ^- ^'""^ ■ Ac/«:;i ^*^ /.,. 2.72^'? ™ r f/.j-^ -j,> ,'- .- /?»>■' / (Tr. ^'■■' ttx^^-t M REPORT ON THK PUBLIC BUILDINGS AT OTTAWA. Public Buildings, Ottawa, 2i)th August, 1867. F. Braun, Esquire, Sec'y Dept. Public Works, Ottawa. Sib, — Agreeably to instruotions conveyed in your letter of the 3rd July last, and its enclosures ; I have the honor to submit the following General Beport on the Public Build- ings at Ottawa; but before attempting to describe tho Structures themselves, it is deemed proper to give, as requested, a " brief notice of the principal events connected with their construction." The first direct action which appears to have been taken towards fixing on a place for the permanent Scat of Government, was on the 24th March, 1857, when resolutions were passed by the House of Assembly to the following effect : — That the sura of two hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds Ld appropriated for the purpose of providing for the necessary Buildings ; and that an Address be presented to Her i>!ajesty, praying Her to select " some one place as the permanent Seat of Govern- ment in Canada." A despatch from the Colonial Secretary, dated 31st December, 18^7, conveying Her Majesty's selection of Ottawa as the Seat of Government, waa oommnnicated to both branches of the Legislature, on the 16th March, 1858. The place having been thus chosen, and the site of the Buildings fized upon, the Department of Public Works issued a notice, dated IJth May, 1859, inviting architects to prepare and submit designs for Parliament Buildings, and for the Public Departments, by the 1st day of August following, and stating that the Structures " are proposed to be built in a plain substantial style of architecture, of coursed hammer-dressed masonry, &o." "All information as to the sites of the Buildings, their'size, number of rooms, &o., necessary for the preparation of the plans, can be obtained at the office of the Department.'* This notice resulted in sixteen designs for Parliament Buildings being submitted, by fonrteen different competitors ; and seven designs for Departmental Buildings by six different competitors ; the whole of which were exhibited, and afterwards examined by gentlemen deemed competent to judge of their comparative merits. The first premium for the Parliament Buildings was awarded to Messrs. Fuller & Jones, and that for tho Departmental Buildings, to Messrs. Stent & Laver. These gentlemen were subsequently instructed by the Department to make certain alterations in their plans, with a view to their better adaptation to the purposes contem- plated ; they were also requested to have these changes made, and specifications of the works prepared, by the 15tn of October following. On the 8th of September, public notice was given, that tenders for the construction of the Buildings would be received until tho 1st day of November, and that the plans and specifications could be aecn at Quebec, Ottawa, and Toronto, on and after the 15th October. Tho time, holreTer, was extended to the 15th November, when twenty-one tender« were received for tho Parliament Buildings, and twouty-niue for the Departmental Buildings. The tender of Thomas MoGreevy v is accepted, for the bulk sum of $3-48,500 for the construction of the Parliament Buildings; and a contract was entered into with him on tlie 7th December, 1859, for their completion by the 1st day of July, 1S62. About the same time the construction of the Departmental Buildings was awarded to Messrs. Jones, Haycock, & Clarke, at the bulk sum of $278,810, and the time filed by the contract for their oomplotion, was the 1st Feburary, 1862. 1 2 The architects who receivid the first premiums were, on the 29th November, 1850, appointed to superintend the execution of the works connected with the respective build- ings, at a commission of about five per cent, upon the contract sum. No adequate provision having been made fbr heating and ventilation in th« accepted plans, a notice was issued on the 14th November, 1859, calling upon competent parties willing to Qndertake this service, to tender for its performance, on or before the 80th Deaember, and to submit the details of the system which they proposed to adopt, as also to guarantee its efficient working, lor a period often years after completion. In accordance with this notice nine tenders were received, and on the 28th January, 1860, the work was awarded to Charles Garth, at the bulk sum of 861,285. This was un- derstood to '"^clude the furnishing and fitting up of the whole of the apparatus necessary for the heating and ventilation or all the Buildings, except certain alterations as to the mode of warming the wings of the Parliament buildings. The building contractors commencod operations on the 20th December, and were prin- cipally occupied, during the winter of 1859-60, in thj excavation of foundations, preparing materials, and making arrangements for carrying on the works in the ensuing spring. The masonry was commenced on the Parliament Buildings on the 26th April, 1860, and in June the foundations of the main central tower were laid. On the Eastern Block for the Departments building operations began on the 2nd April, and the works were then generally proceeded with. On Saturday, the Ist September, 1860, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales laid the corner- stone of the pier immediately under the north-east angle pillar of the Legislative Council Chamber ; and in the early part of December building operations were generally stopped for the season. About this time it became necessary to obtain more ample information in regard to the expenditure on, and management of, the works, thnn was in the possession of the De- partment. \yith this object in riew, an Order in Council was passed on the 18th Decem- ber, 1860, authoriaing the Chief Engineer to be sent to Ottawa, for the purpose of report- ing fully on all matters connected with the general character, superintendence, and progress of the works, &o., &c., from the commencement up to that period. A detailed report was submitted by that officer on the 20th April, 1861, recommend- ing ceitain changes to be made, by which the works could be resumed under a different system of management and supervision. During the season of 1861 they were continued agreeably to the suggestions contained in the report above referred to, until the 1st of October, when, the appropriation having been exhausted, they were suspended by order of tho Hon. the Commissioner. The Hon. H. H. Killaly was, on the "let September, 1861, instructed to proceed to Ottawa and ascertain what arrangements could be made to protect the Buildings dur'ng the ensuing winter, and to report generally upon their condition and the best mode of set- tling with the contractors for works which had been performed, &c. That gentleman accordingly s'jbmitted a report, dated 12th November, 1861, embo- dying his views upon these matters, and accompanied by a progress estimate, shewing, in detail, the amount which he considered should be paid to the contractors for the various items of work, &c., done by them up to the Ist October, 1861, at rates add prices fixed by him. On the 11th and 12th March, 1862, he sent estimates of the work done during the months of October and November, 1861 ; and on the 16th April, 1862, another Report was furnished by him, which contained a summary of his previous estimates, together with an estimate of the probable cost of completing the Buildings. In 1862, the sum of $188,344,30 was appropriated, under the head of "unprovided items," for the previous year, and a further sum of $500,000 was granted by tho Legisla- ture towards the construction of the Buildings. The contractors urging a settlement for the works they had performed, and alleging certain claims for their suspension, a Commission was appointed, under the Great Seal of the Province, on the 21st June, 1862, to enquire into all matters connected with the con- struction of the Buildings and management of the works, so far as they had then been pro- ceeded with, and to advise the Government as to the best method of carrying them on in future ; and also to supply an estimate of the probable cosi of their completion. ber, 1859, live build- « accepted 3Qt parties 3 the SOth ipt, as also 1 January, lis was un- necessary s as to the were prin- preparing pring. pril, 1860, tern Block were then he corner- ve Council ly stopped regard to of the De- ith Decern- I of report- id progress Bcommend- a different 3 contained ion having proceed to igs dur'ng lode of set- 561, embo- ihewing, in he various es fixed by during the ler Report jether with unprovided ho Legisla- id alleging eat Seal of bh the con- 1 been pro- bem on in 8 The gentlemen forming this Commission had a re-moa8arem«nt made of the whole of the worka, and examined a large Duouber of witnosaes as to their past managemeqt, value of labor and materials, and other matters connected with the subjeet. At this time there had been paid to Mr. Thomas McGreevy, for work performed, tho sum of $483,163.05, and to Messrs. Jones, Haycock & Co., the sum of 8511,391.54. On the 29th January, 1863, the Report of the Commission wa8 submitted tp the Government, containing, amongst other matters, a recommendation that the works remain- ing to bo done should be offered to the original contractors, at a schedule of prices fixed by them ^the Commissioners). This proposition having been acooded to by the Qovernment, and after considerable discussion, agreed to by the contractors, on tho 18th Apr:.l, 1863, contracts were entered into with Thomas McGreevy, for the completion of the Parliament Buildings ; and with Messrs. Jones, llayoook & Clarke,, for the completion of the Departmental Buildings, at a schedule of prices to be applied to tho different classes and items of work. Under this arrangement, tho clainis alleged by the contractors as arising out of the first contracts, were left in abeyance. Before the new contracts were entered into, the specifications were, however, revised ; and it was deemed advisable, that instead of paying the architects by commission , as for- merly, they should be paid fixed salaries. In carrying out this system, Mr. Thomas Fuller and Mr. Charles Baillairg finished, and the v.rks on the Parliament Buildings well advanced, the staff was considerably reduoed in the cpring of 1867, and in the month of May, tho services of Mr. Thomas Fuller, architect, were dispensed with. GENERAL DESOBIPTIOIV. The site chosen for the Buildings is in tho centre of the City of Ottawa, about n mill below the Chaudidre Falls, on a prominent rocky pointjutting out into the Ottawa Kivcr, at an olevatiou considerably higher than the city and lands in the vicinity. On the eastern side it is flanked by a deep ravine, in which are situated the combined looks of the Ridcau Canal. The north side is bold and precipitous, and on tho western side the ground slopes quickly towards the south-west and diminishes in width. On the southern or lowest side, it is, for a distance of 1,750 feet, bounded by Wellington street, which is one of tho principal streets of the city, and descends in a westerly direction towards tho Falls. The point is of an irregular shape, 1,050 feet wide at the centre, and contains an area of fully 29 acres. It was formerly known as Barrack Hill, and is a part of the Ordnance Lands conceded to the Province. The Buildings aFe placed so as to form three sides of a quadrangle, measuring from north to south 600 feet, from east to west 700 feet, and containing an area of over 9i acres. The Parliament Building is on the north side of the square, upon which it has a frontage of 472 feet. It faces toward the south, and its extreme depth at the centre is 370 feet, covering an area of about 82,886 superficial feet, or about 1 ,"(, acres. The Departmental Buildings form the east and west sides of tho square ; they are of a rectangular shape, having both quadrangle and southern fronts, the lino of the latter being 100 feet north of Wellingt .i street. The Eastern Block has a frontage on the square of 319 feet, and 245 feet on the south. It covers an aiea of 41,840 superficial feet, or fully nineteen-twentieths of an acre. The Western Block has a frontage towards the south of 277 feet, and on the quadrangle of 220 feet, with an area of 36,276 feet superficial, equal to about seventecn- twentiet^hs of an acre. Thus the total area oovered by all the Buildings is about B^^ aores. iboat thifl . a state of rary being nplotion of out of his A consent, onsidering 1866, the jegialatnre une, 1866, 'anafer his in March, i under or :o the sum ie Leglsla- ' Members bese works . Parliament 167, and in with. }oat n mill liver, at an astern side he Ridcau >und slope.s jwest side, )ae of the ills. ins an area Ordnance uriog from ;r 9J acres, ch it has a 10 centre is they are of the latter eet on the ieths of an nd on the seventeen- S^j aocea. The Parliament Building is on the highest part of the ground, and its basement floon are about 150 feet above the ordinary summer wator level of the Ottawa River. Thoie of the Eastern and Western Blocks are respectively 135 feet 8 inches aud 142 feet 8 inohei over the same datum. A continuous carriage road has been made all round the square, and extended north- ward at both ends o*. the Parliament Buildine towards the Speakers' Towers, and also along the southern fronts of the Departmental Buildings. The entrances to the grounds are opposite Elgin and Metcalf streets. From these points the roads incline gentlv to within a short distance of the Parliament Building, where they ascend by a steeper graoe to th? level of a wide terrace, which has been formed along the southern front of that structure. The square has been graded to a gradual rise from the road which runs parallel with Wellington street up to the foot of the terrace, and to a plane corresponding to the levels of the Eastern and Western Blocks. All the Buildings are constructed in what may be termed the Pointed Gothic style of architecture, and from the bold, broken outline they present — their numerous towers, high pitched, variegated slato roofs, pierced by dormers and surmounted by ornamental wrought iron cresting and terminals, together with the quaintness of the carved figures, combine to produce an imposing and picturesque effect. The outer facing of the walls is principally composed of a light colored, compact sandstone, obtained from the Township of Nepeao, at a distance of about 12 miles from the city. The dressings, stairs, gablets, pinnacles, &o., are chiefly of a greyish colored freestone, from the State of Ohio, and the r iieving arches over the door and window openings are of a reddish sandstone, from Potsdam, in the northern part of New York State. The slates are generally of a dark color, with bands of a ligu'LC huo placed at intervals. They were obtained in the State of Vermont. The foundations and interior portions of the walla ''re of limestone, quarried in the vicinity. The division walls and lining of the external walls are chiefly of brick, manu- factured either at Ottawa or at other places in the Province. The marble used in the Buildings was principally obtained from Arnprior and other places on the Ottawa River. The valley of the Ottawa also siipplied the timber used in the construction, with the exception of the oak, which had to be brought from other parts of the Province. PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. 80UTHBEN FRONT. The southern facade of this Building is, as already stated, 472 feet long. It is three stories in height, the basement being entirely over the ground line ; the top of the main cornice is about 45 feet in height, and the front is divided into five horizontal bands, by belt-courses at the sills and springing of the doors and window openings of the different stories. This produces a degree of regularity, which is, however, broken by the heavy projections of the central and wing towers. The central Tower is about 30 feet square, exclusive of the angle buttresses, which are of an octagonal shape, and terminate in open, ^clustered columns, surmounted by pin- nacles with carved finials. It is divided by belt-courses into five unequal vertical spaces, in the lowest of which are lofty archways (embracing the height of the basement and ground floors) on three of its sides. These are constructed of deeply-cut mouldings, ea- riched with carving, and ranges of marble columns. They open into a groined carriage porch, in front of the main entrance, the latter having the Royal Arms, elaborately carved, orver the doorway. ■'s 6 The Beoond, or inter-story, ie mai-ked out by the same horizootal lilies as the first floor ftbry of the main'struotttr^, and has three arched windows, and t#d nidhes, of similar di- mensions, on each of its three bides. This portion of the Tower can be used for Oommittee Booms or other purposes. Three sides of the third space are divided, veriically, into two coiiipartmietit&, ita each of which are thrtee deej^ly-sunk, moulded, arched and werthered panels, with narrow per- pendicular openings for the admission of air. The wall forming the fourth side is hid from view by the main roof. In the fourth or largest space, or story, are two deeply-weathered, moulded, enriched, and ornamentally perforated belfry windows, on each side. These form a striking featuve in the elevation cf the Tower, and add greatly to its general efFect. Over these windows there is a heavy moTilded and enriched cornice, immediately above which the angle buttressed are capped by tLe clustered colamus and pinnacles above refer- red to. Between these, on all the four sides, are pointed gables, in which are constructed circular openings for' clook facing, inscribed by pointed relieving arches. The gables, pin- nacles, &c., are enriched with crockets. The masonry of the Tower is complete, but the roof is as yet unfinished ; it has been ciorried up to a height of 156 feet above the surface o2 the terrace. From its mass, and the variety of light and shade produced by its deeply recessed windows, projecting buttresses, and the char.ayteristio ornaments of the style, it presents a very imposing appearance. On each side of the central Tower the main structure extends for a distance of about 100 feet, where it connects with the wings. Near the angle formed by this junction are double flights of outside stairs, with moulded out stone railings and carved balusters, leading to the entrances for Members of the two branches of the Legislature. As already stated, the horizontal lines by which this front is marked form a striking' feature in the elevation. This j->rtion is, however, diversified on either side of the central Tower by a large tracery window, which lights the main vestibule, and by the irregular' size and height of those at the public stairs, leading to the galleries of the Houses. In the regular part of the fagade (including the wings) there are, on the ground floor, 28 ousped openings for windows and doors, over which, in the first floor, are 52 smaller' window openings, generally in pairs, with the exception of those in the angle towers, where there are three windows in the first floor over two in the ground floor. Between the arches of the lower openings there arc carved circular sunk ornaments, with rings of Potsdam stone. In the roof of that portion of the main Building, between the central Tower and wings, there are, on each side, seven dormers and three chimneys. The wings are eacL 121 feet long, and ^ ive a tower, carried up at each of the four angles, shewn, on the southern face. These stand about 4 feet beyond the general line of the face (in range ,Tith the front of the angle buttresses of the main Towe*;, and are built up to correspond with the leading horizontal lines and' geiiei'al features of the structure. That portion of each Tower which is carried up in masonry over the main cornice reaches to the top of the central roof, and is divided into a series of moulded tracery panels, with vertical perforations for the admission of light and air, over which is a heavy cornice, with rows of gablets. These toirers are covered by high pitched truncated roofs, ia each side of which ate constructed three dormer \i^indows, aurraounted by wrought iron terminals. The flat por- tions of the roofs ar« finished with cresting painted deep blue, with the prominent poiflts gilt. The ri'lge of the slated roofs covering those parts of the wings between the angle towers, is a little lower than that of the central portion. In this space there are five dotmers and two chimneys at each end of the building. In the centre of each wing is a flight of outside stairs with a carted baluStrsda, leading tu what are termed the Clerks' Entrances. At the ground floor line the walU have, throughoiit, a heavily weathered ofiiset, in which are partly placed small arched windows, fur admitting light m the basement. Two doors for accpss are also provided. I I e first floor simii&r di- C/ommittee Is, in eiaoh arrow per- s hid from , enriched, ng feature ifcely abova )ove refer- Dnstruoted ibles, pia- t has been 1 ita mass, projecting imposing i of about h moulded )f the two . a striking the central e irregular' ses. •ound floor, 52 smaller vers, where ornaments, and wings, f the four iral line of id are built truc*:uro. lin cornice ery panels, vy cornice, ' which are be dat por- lent points 1 the angle iTQ are five h, leading I ofiset, in lent. Tfwo I The above constitute the main features of the southern elevation of the Parliament Building, in addition to which, however, there oac be seen from the quadrangle, the highest parts of the roofs of both Houses; and the ventilating towers at their northern ends, together with those situated at other places. The tops of numerous chimneys in the rear are also visible. Before attempting to describe another view of the Building, it is deemed proper to state, that a line through the centres of the riain tower and Li'otary, divides the ground plan of the whole structure into equal parts. The elevation of the western aide is also repeated in all its features on the eastern side. It will therefore be obvicus, that (for the present purpose) the following description will serve for both sides : — WERTEEN PAOADK. The horizontal outline of the western side may be briefly described as follows : — The end of the western win-];, which is the most salient point in this view, stands on the extreme right, and has a length of about 105 feet. The angle towers project about four feet beyond the genersl line of its front. North of this is the lean-to and Speaker's tower, situated on the west side of the House of Commons. Thii face has a length of 112 feet, and stands back about 100 feet from the lineof the wing. To theleft of this tower, but set back from it 108 feet, appears about 28 fe^t of the connection between the main Build- ing and the Library. The latter, which is on the extreme north of this view, is in ground plan of a circular shape in the centre, inscribed by a polygon lean-to of sixteen sidea, and presenting on the horizontal plane of this elevation, a length of 126 feet. This end of ihe western wing presents a similar appearance to that of the southern face already described : — with the exception that th^re are no outside stairs leading up to the level of the ground floor — the entrance from this side being in the centre of the base- ment, and on the level of the terrace. In the ground floor there are nine, and in the first floor eleven, cusped window openings. The lean-to above mentioned, is carried up one story above the basement, aud has eight arched openings on the ground floor. In its roof a continuous line of dormers has been constructed, for the purpose of admitting light into the corridor on the west side of the Chamber. In the basement there is an entrance to the tramway leading through the upper part of the boiler-house, and a flight of outside stairs to the Reporter's entrance, which is on the level of tho ground floor. Above this 1 m-to, a part of the side wall of the Houso of Commons is seen, to The south front of the wing and the adjoining room are occupied by the English iors. Law Clerks, and Stationery. That part of the conidor in the 7ing is lighted "*> meats. Translators, 11 ' by ten windows, opeoipg on the Court. Opposite the ends of the Chambers the corridor is lighted' by means of a panelled glass ceiling, and skylights in the roof. Between the two Chambers^the light is admitted % five windows, opening on the central Court. The floor and skirting of the corridor are of Portland cement, and tlie ceilings (with t^o exceptions above mentioned) are of pine paaellcd Work, similar to those in the ground floor. All the rooms are provided with double windows, the lower halves of which are hung, and arranged to slide up in the casements, thus obviating the necessity of removing one set during the summer season ; they arc also furnished with inside Venetian blinds. There is a fire place in each room, with a pointed arch and moulded chiuiney-piece, and hearth of sandstone. The floors of all the rooms are of pine, grooved and tongued, laid in narrow widths^ and fastened to strips embedded in the concrete undernoatb ; the skirtings are also of pine, chamfiered and grooved into the floors. The ceilings of nil the principal rooms are of pine, moulded sunk panelled work, oiled and varnished. In the rooms with plastered ceilings there are coruices suitable to the sizes of the various apartments. There are also stands (with marble tops) and wash-banins in most of the rooms ; these are provided with silver-plated taps. The division walls of the interior are chiefly of brick, and the floor joists are of rolled iron of a sectional area varied to suit the lengths between the bearings. Theie are gener- ally laid 18 inches apart, and upon the lower flanges boarda are placed transversely to carry the concrete, which has a general d&pth of 12 inches. In this manner the floors of all the rooms, corridors, &o., are constructed, both on the ground and first floors, and attics, and also the floors of the two Chambers, together with those portions of the ceilings over the corridors and galleries. This renders the Building, below the attio floor, in a gient measure fire-proof, and cuts off the means of its being communicated to the wooden roofs of the Building, except at the Committee stairs and at those points south of the Chambers on the first floor where the corridor ceilbg is of gjazed panelled work. Between the roofs of the other parts of the Building and those of the Chambers are cut-off brick walls, which lessen the probability of fire extending in this direction, t hilst the wooden ceilings of both Cham- bers are at such a height as to be comparatively secure. The outer coverings of the roofs being of slate, load and galvanized iron, it will be evident that the risk of fire is confined to as narrow limits as possible, considering that the. roofs throughout are of wood; — that is to say. it can only spread in the attics and roofs themselves. On the north side of the central court is a suite of rooms allotted to His Excellency the Governor General and the Chaplain to the Senate. These open into the Picture Gal- lery (which measures 28 by 64 feet) and isalso entered by doors at the angles of the corridors leading round the Senate and the House of Commons. This apartment is 25} feet high, and the ceiling of a part of the slope of the roof on either side is of pine panelled and moulded work, similar to that of the corridors. The centre of the room, however, is cov- ered by a flat ceiling, panelled, and filled in with ground glass, through which light is admitted from skylights formed in the roof. There is a door in the centre of the north side opening to a passage leading to the liibrary proper, at the end of which is a highly ornamental arched, moulded, asd enriched doorway, with clustered columns and carved capitals. A.t this point a temporary partition has been erected so as to enclose a space of 36 feet by 11 feet (the passage), which, together with the Picture Gallery and the adjoining rooms, has been fitted up for the reception of a part of the Library of Parliament. In the larger room is a gallery running around ita four sides for access to the higher ranges of books, which could not otherwise be easily reached from the floor. The Smoking Room on the Senate side (about 36 by 15 feet), which is entered by a door on the north corridor, has also been fitted up for part of the Library. ohambbb: The House of Commons measures 82 feet by 45 feet inside, and is arrjoged for the aeooramodation of 194 Members. It is lighted from the ceiling, and by meant of latige windows on tbreo > its sides. 1^ In the centre of the western side is the Speaker's ohair, opposite whioh, on th« eastern side, is the Bar, and a door opening into the adjoining corridor. The floor of the Hoase occupies a space 16 feet wide, and to the north and sonth of this are 7 ranges of desks. The two fVont ranges are on the floor, and the other five on each side are placed on platforms which rise each seven inches as they recede from the centre towards the north and south ends of the Chamber, where they are about 3 feet above the floor level. In the risers of the platforms are perforated cast-iron gratings for downward ventilation. The desks are placed in pairs, and between each pair is a narrow passage to afford access to the seats. Between the endsof thd platforms and the east and west walls of the House there are passages 8 feet wide, by which Members entering at the side doors can either pass on to the floor of the House, or ascend by means of steps to the level of the rear platform. A brass railing separates this passage from the ranges of seats which stand above the floor level. In the centre of the floor of the House there is a large opening covered by a perforated grating, through which cold air can be admitted to the Chamber during periods of adjourn- ment. Over this are placed the Clerks' table, and that for the Mace. The five entrance doors to the House have inside porches of panelled, moulded and tracery work in pine, and are covered by glass ceilings. Walls are carried up round the area described (82 feet by 45 feet) to a height of 16i feet over the level of the floor. These walls are divided by marble pilasters on the east and west sides into five bays each, and on the north and south ends into three bays. Between the pilasters, and extending all round the Chamber, is a projecting cornice of marble, the top of which is on a level with the floor of the gallery. The pilasters terminate at the height of the railing along the front of the gallery, and upon them are placed clusters of marble columns with carved capitals. Iirom these spring pointed arches, reaching nearly to the ceiling, which is horizontal, and 45 feet over the floor of the House. Behind these ai'hes, and extending back to the main walls (a distance 12j^ feet) are he galleries, immediately over the ground floor corridors, around the House. The pilasters, clustered columns, cornice and arches are of blue veined marble, polished. Alongside the Chamber walls, at a height of about 6<^ feet over the floor, there is a continuous line of openings for the admission of warm or cold air. This is covered by an adjustable perforated grating of brass, placed at such an angle as to give a proper direction to the current. At the north and south ends of the Chamber, the openings m the centre bays, between the pilasters, communicate directly with the duct, and air is supplied by means of a large tube from the fan in the boiler house. This arrangement is for the purpose of changing the air in the Chaniber as rapidly as possible when required. Immediately under the marble cornice, there is also a range of ornamentally perforated oast iron gratings for the introduction of air. The gallery front is formed of a line of pine panelling, ornamented with quatre-foils, oiled and varnished. Upon this is placed a range of wrought iron standards supporting a walnut rail, at the height of the pilasters above referred to, or 19 feet above the floor of the House. The southern three-fifths of the east gallery is allotted to Membsrs of the Senate, and is entered by a door opposite the head of the first floor stairs. The other two-fifths of the east, and the whole of the north gallery is for the public, and is approached by a separate'stair leading off the main vestibule. The south gallery is for the ladies, and the southern part of the west gallery is for persons admitted by the Speaker. In each of these galleries are three ranges of seats, rising 14 inches above each other, with passages at intervals between them. In the south gallery there is, however, a fourth range of seats alongside the wall. Three bays of the north part of tho west gallery are arranged withdesks and divisions for the accommodation of Reporters, and in rear of these there are seats provided for other persons connected with the Press. To these gentlemen have also been allotted two rooms, immediately over each other, in the Speaker's Tower — one on the level of the gallery and the other in the attic, which Id lighted by large dormers on two of its sides. To these rooms there is a separate stair and an outside entrance. In rear of the three bays, formed by the arches in front of th« north gallery, there ] 18 ] are three large windows, of elaborate design, with mullioos aod traoery of sandstone, the inside sashes being filled with richly ornamented stained glass. On eaoh side of these is a narrower window, of a similarly ornate oharaoter, with stained glass, also of the moat bril- liant colors. la the eastern side, and oorrespondin; with the bays between the marble arches, are five windows. The three central (and largest) ones, are formed of fi^e narrow lancet win- dows, with traoery heads ; that on either side is composed of four lancet windows of similar design. On the west side there are four windows, similar to those opposite. They are all glazed with richly ornamental stained glass, and both the side and end windows have an outside glazing of quarry lights. In line of the arches over the gallery fronts, there are at eaoh corner two pointed arches, of about 10 feet span, reaching over the galleries themselves ; those at the north end support the ventilating towers. These arches spring on one side from carved corbels, built into the main walls, and on the other from the larger clusters of columns at each angle of the House. In all the four corners included between these arches and the side walla, are groins with moulded ribs of marble, filled in with brick aud plastered. The ribs, which start from the angle of the exterior walls, also spring from ornamental carved corbels. The ceiling over the galleries is formed of deeply moulded panel work, with tooth enrichment, oiled and varnished, and has a somewhat similar appearanco to those over the corridors on the ground floor ; except the spaco opposite the centre bay, on each side, in which the panels are filled in with perforated cast-iron plates, for the purpose of upward ventilation. The arches over the gallery fronts are, as before stated, supported by clustered columns of polished marble, resting on pilasters of tho same material. The larger clusters at the four angles consist of one heavy central column, wrought and sunk so as to represent five oolumns, around which are arranged eight smaller ones. The twelve intermediate spaces between the angles are divided by smaller clusters, consisting of one large central column, encircled by four of less diameter. All the oolumns measure 6 feet 2^ inches, from the top of the pilasters to the capitals. About midway between these points there is a projecting band, which encircles the whole cluster. The capitals are 18 inches high, and carved to represent foliage. From these spring the respective arches, which are deeply moulded and polished, and carried up to a height of 41 feet 8 inches over the ioor of the House. In thfc spandrils between the arches, on all the four sides of the Chamber, are rote shaped openings, insc/ibed in circular mouldings of marblo, 4 feet 6 inches diameter. At the height of 1 foot over the apices of these arches is the lino of the underside of the main cornice. This cornice is 2 feet 6 inches high, and has a projection of 18 inches. It consists of several deeply moulded members, with a carved enrichment in a cove near the lower side. The moulded framework of the ceiling is divided into sixty panels, and in the divisions are ranges of perforated quatre-foils for the purposes both of ventilation and ornament. The pant I worl; is deeply moulded, and has a tooth enrichment. Both it and tho cornice are of pine, oiled and varnished, and the panels are filled in with ground glass, through which light is admitted from skylights placed in the roof From the foregoing description of the House, some idea may be formed of the effective result which its large dimensions and generally ornate character could scarcely fail to produce. The chief features of the interior are charaateristic of the stylo of architecture in which the Building is constructed, tho lofly arches over the gallery fronts are pointed, and the cluster.'j of marble columns supporting them are light and graceful in appearance, whilst at the same time they possess ample strength. Tho tracery windows in the main walls are of elaborate design, and are filled with richly colored stiiiaed-glass, representing the Royal, Provincial, and other coats of arms, together with various heraldic devices, emblazoned in brilliant hues. The light thus admitted throws the ranges of arches along the gallery frontfl into relief, and greatly enhances the beauty of the interior. The groined arches at each angle of tho Chamber also form attractive features, and th« peculiarities of the style are artistically carried into minute details. 14 The Senate Chamber is of th|e san^e dimensions, and prea^qta throaghout a simiUr appearance to the House of Gommoni|, fixoept that the arrangement of the Speaker's Chair, desks, &o., on the floor of the House, and tne positions of the entrance doors are different. The Throne and Speaker's Chair are situated in the centre of the north end of the Chamber, and the floor of the House extends from north to south, 15 feet wide. Tlie Bar is at the south end, and the wardrobe for Ibe Senate is off the east corridor. The Throne in this Chamber, and the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons, are both of a tem- porary character. DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS. The Departmental Buildings (which flank the square) are, for the most part, two stories in height, the basement being generallj sunk below the ground level, and the main cornice about 40 feet over the finished surface. The Eastern Block has a picturesque and broken skyline, and, from its numerous towers and projections, presents a great variety of light and shade. The Western Block, although not so ornate as that opposite, has a sufficiently diver- sified exterior to produce a pleasing effect. EA8TEEN BLOCK. Quadrangle Front. — ^This, as already stated, is 319 feet long, and the principal tower, which is situated at the south-west angle, is set back 16 feet from the line of both this and the southern front. At the north-west angle, -be end of the north wing stands back 15 feet from the front line. The basement floor throughout is considerably lower than the surface of the ground, and six of the openings in it for light are enclosed by detached sunk areas. At the north end, the area is continuous. The central portion of this rront, for about 54 feet in length, has a projection of 3 feet, and is three stories high. The middle part of this (25 feet long) has a further pro- jection of 3 feet to the line of the angle towers, and corresponds nearly in length to the Governor General's carriage porch, which stands out 18 feet from the general line, and forms the most prominent feature in the ground plan of this face. The porch is principally built of otit stone. It has three arched openings on the west face, one of which is a doorway. The carriage entrance is by archways on the south and north faces. Inside, the roof is groined. Over the front arches there ia a pediment, in which the royal arms are elaborately carved : this is surmounted by a wrought iron terminal. On each tide of the entrance door under this porch there is a window to light the vestibule, and on either side of the middle projection there are two arched windows, with sunk panels underneath on tho ground floor level. Immediately over tie roof of the carriage porch, there are three combined wimlows, which light the Governor Goncral's room, and one large window or. each side of this, ou the first floor. Above this thero is a large tracery window and two smalli':- ones. At the level of the cornice, over the first floor, two projecting angle buttresses are started on the main central portion, and are cnrriod up to the elaborate cornice which runs aloag its top. They '' ashlar rubbed. The coiling is a rib groine 1 arch with carved centre, pendant, and springer corbels. The contio of tho groin is about 43J feet over the floor. Around the vestibule, at the level of the first floor, there is a gallery of stone, 4 feet wide, supported by sixteen ornamental wrought-iron brackets, — four on each side, — and provided with a wrought-iroa railing. The floor is of encaustic tiles laid in cement. Opposite the entrance is a moulded and stopped arched doorway, in which arc side and fan-lights, approached by two steps, and opening into tho corridor, extending along the centre of the vest front. A similar door with steps, &c., leads into the corridor which runs along the centre of tho south front. Tho vestibule is lighted by tho largo tracery window seen in the .west eleva- tion of the main tower. At the level of the gallery there are doors of a like character opening to tho corridors, immediately above those on the ground floor. All the corridors are nine and a half feet wide. Advancing from the muin vestibule towards tho cast wing, along the south corridor, on the right, are two piers and three archways which support the wall above. Two of the openings between the piers afi"ord an entrance to the space (24 feet by 24 feet) occupied by the main stairway. Above these are similar piers and arches on the flrst floor. The stairs are hanging, five and a half feet wide, and start from the foot of the east pier. They are carried along the east wall, and have a landing at mid-story which reaches across the south wall, and is supported by a cut stone screen, formed of three columns and four moulded arches. From this landing they rise along the west wall to the level of the first floor. The stairs and landings have ornamental wrought-iron balusters, with a heavy oak handrail starting from a largo newel at the base, and stopping against one of the piers of of the first floor arches. This space is floored with encaustic tiles, together with that portion of the corridor adjoining. In the south wall of the ground floor there are two square-headed windows, •which are seen through the cut stone screen above referred to; and on the west side there are also two windows. Over these, in the first floor, are large tracery windows, all of which are filled with diapered glass, except the circular openings in the heads, which are of ornamental stained glass. The ceiling is 35 feet 6 inches over the floor, with an enriched plaster cornice run all round it. This stairway and the adjoining vestibule form attractive features in the interior of the block. The line of the south corridor is broken by four moulded arches, which spring from pilasters in the face of the walls. The three rooms on the right beyond the main stairway, and all those opposite on the left, are occupied by the Audit branch of the Finance Department. Next those on the right is the central entrance, and small vestibule with steps up to the corridor. Opposite this are three archways facing on stairway.*, leading to the first floor and basement. Tho rooms on the south fron*, between this entrance and the east end of the Building, and three rooms on the left, are allotted to the Receiver General's Department, the Minister's Room being on the south-east angle. Opposite to this is a staircase (19 feet 6 inches by 21 feet 6 inches), which is also entered from a vestibule (18 feet by 14 feet), lighted by fan and side-lights, formed in cut stone, under the Agricultural tower. This stairway leads to the first floor and story above and also to the basement. The two large rooms, fronting towards the east, beyond this stairway, are apportioned to the Bureau of Aericulture. Those opening towards the west are connected with the Receiver General's Department, and are accessible by a short corridor running towards the north. 18 Starting from the south end of tho west corridor, the first room on tho left is that of the Minister of Finouco, and tho whole of tho rooms (four on each side), up to the Gover- nor Qcnerars entrance, are occupied by the Finance Department. The vestibule at this eutrance is 10 feet by 25 feet, and about midway in it are three steps leading up to tho level of the ground floor. Tho doorway at tho corridor has side and fan-lights. Opposite there are two piers from which spring three arches. Tho openings between these lead to a stairway to tho first fioor and attic. Under tho stairs, in the ground floor level, is a door to the Governor General's bath room. Between this entrance and that leading to tho Council Chamber, tho rooms ou both sides of the corridor (10 in all) are occupied by tho Customs and Excise. The entrance to the Executive Council has a vestibule, 17 feet square, under tho north- west tower, ond the doorway to the corridor has side and fan-lights. Opposite this are also three moulded and chamfered archways, similar to those above referred to. Beyond this the six apartments in the north wing aie allotted to the Provincial Registrar's Department. The line of tho west corridor is broken by piers and arches, in like manner to that OQ the southern front. In the basement passages arc also continued under the ground floor corridors, and the division of rooms is in all' cases nearly tho same as in the upper floors. The rooms along the south and west fronts arc occupied by the messengers and office- keepers. Those in the rear are used as store-rooms for records and for other purposes. There are four entrances to the basement in rear of this block, and there are either continuous or detached areas for access to them, and for the admission of light and air. The divisions of tho rooms, in the fir&t floor, are also similar to those below, and tho corridor walls are carried up in like manner. Commencing at the gallery arouud the vesti- bule and proceeding towards the east, the first space is that of the main staircase already described. The six rooms next, on the right along tho south front, and the seven opposite on the left, are apportioned to the Provincial Secretary's Department. Over the south entrance door on this floor there is a large tracery window with four vertical compartments filled with diapered glass. The circular openings above these have ornamental stained glass. Opposite this window is tho landing from the stairs which is lighted by a tracery window in tho north wall of the building. In the east end and wing are rooms occupied by the Bureau of Agriculture. The Ministers' room being in the south-east angle. In the north end of this wing is a large room intended for the reception of models, but at present occupied by clerks. It is 53 by 31 feet, and is lighted by a large bay tracery window at its east end. In the west end there is also a large tracery window, and in the north wall there are two windows. The ceiling is 22J fset h' w'th a heavy cornice run around it. In the room be- tween this and the staircase at end (28 by 18J feet) there is also a large tracery win- dow, in the east front. T' i is approached by a narrow passage leading to tha left off" the main corridor. .. : uous lino of the latter is broken by four arches and piers. Starting from the south eu.. ox' the west corridor and proceeding northward, tho large room to the left is that of the Attorney General West, and the other two rooms ad- joining are for the chief and assistant clerks, On the opposite side is an apartment for the Solicitor General, and a waiting room. On both sides of the corridor, up to the north side of the centre staircase ou this front, are the rooms of His Excellency the Governor General and Stafi^. His Excellency's room is immediately over the vestibule, and is lighted by three arched windows on the quadrangle front. North of this is the aid-('c-eamps' room. Tho itaircase is lighted by a tracery window, filled with diapered and ornamental stained glass. The next five rooms on the west front, up to and including tho north-west tower, are occupied by the Attorney and Solicitor General East, and clerks connected with the Crown Law Department. The four on the right, up to the staircase at the north end, arc occupied by Executive Council clerks. All the apartments in the north end and wing are partitioned off for the Executive Council. The west corridor is, however, continued to the north wall, and the last door to ilt« right opens to the room of the President of the Council. South of this is a abort ' 19 corridor loading towards tho oast. Tho first room on tho loft of this is for the assintant olerk ; the next that of tho olork ; and in the north-oast angle is the Oounoil Ghoinbor, 30 by 21. Tho ceiling of this room is 17 feet high, and has a heavily moulded and enriched oornico. Tho ontiro attio of tho south front, which is approached by tho stairway at the east end, is fitted up for a Model room, in connection with the Dureau of Agriculture. This spaoo is about 160 feet long by 36 feet wide, and 19 loet high. There are also four rooms at the cost end, for census and other clerks. Above throe of these, thero are other rooms for like purposes. Immediately over the Governor General's room is a l.irge tracery window, divided into three compartments. This lights tho middle room of three on this front occupied by his oflSce-kecper, who has also another room in tho rear. Tho above comprise all the rooms occupied in this block above the ground floor. In tho main tower, an iron stairway leads from the level of the attic floor to the top. There are three stacks of water closets and urinals : one opposite the south entrance; another opposite the west centre entrance; and tho third opposite the Executive Coancil entrance. All these are approached from the respective staircases. Thero is also a closet, the entrance to which is ofi" tho corridor leading to the Executive Council Chamber. The ground, first, and attic floors are formed of rolled iron joists, of depths suited to the various lengths of the bearings. Upon the lower flanges of these, boards aro laid transversely, to receive a bed of concrete, which is generally 12 inches deep. Thus the building, with the exception of the root, may be considered fire-proof. The floors uf the rooms are of pine, laid in narrow widths on strips imbedded in the concrete. The skirtings are also of pine. The corridor floors are throughout of Portland cement, laid upon a similar arrrngement of rolled iron joists aud concrete, as that for the room floors, except those portions opposite the main stairway and Governor General's entrance, which are of «ncaustic tiles, laid in cement. The vestibules at all the front entrances are also floored with encaustic tiles. The basement passcges are floored with Portland cement, laid upon concrete, and the rooms (where occupied) have also cement floo i. The rooms generally have fire places, grates, and hearths, (.!i(l moulded sandstone chimney pieces, formed by a pointed arch. In the Ministers' rooms the chimney pieces are of Arnprior marble polished, and in the Governor General's room. Executive Council Chamber, and Model room are mantle pieces of sandstone with carved enrichments. Plaster cornices are run all round the rooms, corridors, &c. The skirtings of tho latter are of Portland cement, stopped at registers, projections, and offsets. The outside doors are of oak, hung with ornamental wrought-iron hinges. The joiner ,Tork of the interior is chiefly of pine, painted four coats oil colour. The architraves round the doors, &c., are generally plain, except in some of the most important rooms, where a rope moulding is added. The windows have double sashes, the lower half being hung. This obviates the necessity of taking them down in summer, except where the muUions and sides are of stone. The rooms arc provided with stands (marble top) for wash bnsins, phitcd taps, &c. The boiler house is situated in the rear of tho angle formed by tho south and west fronts, it eau be approached from the basement, and there is also an outside entrance, from the rear of the building. WESTERN BLOCK. South Elevation. — This face is 277 feet in lencrth. On the right, the end of tho west front, 40 feet wide, stands back about 16 feet from tlio gen.?ral 1 ne. The elevation proper (237 feet in length) is flanked by two angle towers, uauh showing a width of 20 feet. Adjoining these arc two projecting portious, 25 loet in width, which stand out 6 feet beyond the front lino of the building. The main part (147 feet in length) has a continuous sunk area; and in the centre is the principal entrance door, with a small buttress on each side. The approach to this is by a flight of outside steps-, at which cut stone pillars, for gas lamps, are placed Over this doorway are two pointed arches, of difiierent pitches, the iotermedialw spaoo being formed into a fan-light, above which is an enriched baloonj pro- 20 jeotioD, supported on corbels. In the first floor is a large tracery window, divided into four vertical spaces, with circular opening above them. The arch over this window is carried up to the height of the block cornice of the main building. At this point, for a distance of 28 feet, the wall carried up 6 feet higher, and is capped by an enriched cornice. The roof is steep, of a truncated shapb, and higher than that in its vicinity, which gives this portion of the structure the appearance of a low tower. On each side of the centre door there is one single and three mullioned windows on the ground floor, and in the first floor, immediately above, ere four large windows with single opciiings. This portion connects with the projections before mentiontd, in each of which, on the ground floor, is a double window, and immediately above it a large trucery window, divided into three vertical openings ; the top of the relieving arch of the latter is a little higher than the main cornice. ^ t this point the cornice is carried over in a circular form, and has an ornaTuental keystofe, with a wrought-iron terminal ubove jts upper line. The roof of these projec- tions is of a similar shape to that over the central compartment, but is not carried up quite so high. The angle towers are 23 feet square, aad are carried up vertically to a height of about 66 feet above the surface, where there is a weathered offset, which reduces the width to 21 feet. In the ground floor of the western tower there is a narrow arched doorway, with a flight of outsido steps leading up to it, similarly arranged to that at the central entrance. Over this doorway, in the first floor, is a window of a like size to those in the principal front. At the lower line of the main cornice, the tower is divided by a string course over which, and under the weathered offset referred to, is a tracery window with two vertical openings. Above, and on the right and left of this arch, are two small circular windows, with quatre-foil openings. Over the offset, the walls are carried up vertically to the cor- nice of the tower, and on all the four sides there are pedimented gibles and tracery win- dows. The roof is of a truncated form, and ornamented with cresting and terminals. The height to its top is 127 feet. In the eastern tower there is no entrance, but on the ground floor there are two lancet windows. Abova thio its features are similar to those of t!ie western tower just described — with the exception that on the northern side there is no tracery window— but a large chimney is carried up above the level of the cornice. In the southern end of the west front there is a doorway with outside strirs, &c., similar to that in the western tower, and there is a window to the hit of this in the ground floor; over these are two large win- dows. The roof of this portion is on the same level as the central part of the south front. There are six chimneys visible on this front and part of the ventilating shaft in roar. Facing the west and Chaudi^re Falls there is a wing (72 feet long), on the north- west corner of which is a small octagonal tower, forming a distinctive feature from that point of view. Eastern Front. — There are nine datached areas along this front, which is 220 feet long; 23 feet of the southern end of this is occupied by a side elevation of the angle tower, and projection on the southern front. The remaining length of 197 feet is flanked by two portions of 24 feet in length, which project 6 feet beyond the general lino. In the centre there is a 3 foot projection, 47 feet long, and in the middle of this there is a length of 25 feet, which stands out 3 feet further, or in line with the angle projec- tions above mentioned. The recessed portion of the front measures ou the nortli side 54 feet, and on the south 50 feet. In front of the centre there is a groined entrance porch suppr rted on pillars, with an archway in front, in which arc steps leading up to the door. This porch has small arches for light on its north and south sides, and over the centre archway there is a cornice and pedimented gable in which the Koyal Arms are carved. Immediately over the door there is a large tracery window, with three vertical openings, the relieving arch of which springs from the same level as that of the first floor windows,jand is carried up to the height of the underside of the main cornice. The masonry of the middle portion is built 7 feet higher than this line, and there is then a cornico with a pedimented gable enclosing a double T ■' 21 1» window in the third story. The ro^f of this portion is truncated in shape, and rises 14 feet above the level of the main roof. The projection of 47 feet long (which embraces that now described) has one window on either side on the ground floor, and one above each of these. Its cornice is on the same level as that of the recess, but has additional rows of gablets. The roof is also truncated and rises to a height of 8 feet over the main roof. The recesses, which constitute the principal part of this front, have each six windows in pairs, on the grouud floor, and three larg r windows over these on the first floor. The angle projections of 24 feet in length present a precisely similar elevaiion to that described for those in the south face. There are six chimneys visible on this elevation^ and both the ventilating shafts in rear are also seen. This building is not ao irregular in its outline as the Eastern Block, but is in a higher position, and commands, from its western side, a fine view of the Ottawa River and the Chaudike Falls. Interior Arrangement. — As already stated, the centre eutrar.ce on the south front is approached by a flight of outside steps. This leads into a vestibule (20 by 12 feet), in which there are four steps, extending across its wbole wiUh. It Is floored with encaus- tic tiles, laid in cement. On the light there is a door to a room occupied by the Depart- ment of Public Works. The door to the corridor has side and fau lights, and imme- diately opposite are two piers and three archways to the stairs leading to the first floor, attic, and also to the basement. This corridor is 9 J feet wide, and extends along the centre of the whole southern front, and is also continued along the middle of the quadrangle front and the east side of the west wing. These corridors are lighted by windows at their respective cads, and their line is broken by four arches on the south and three on the quadrangl^ front. Proceeding westwards from the south centre eatrancc, the first two rooms on the left and one on the right are occupied by the Public Works Department ; the second room on the right is apportioned to the Railway Commissioners j and the remaining rooms on the west end and throughout the west wing (12 in number) are allotted to the Militia Depart- ment. Advancing; eastwards from the same starting point, the two first rooms opening oflF the corridor, on the right, are set apart for the Public Works ; the two beyond these are allot- ted to the Indian Department ; and the five rooms on the left are occupied by the Fisheries branch of the Crown Lands, and by the Indian Department. There are also outside entrances in this front, on the south-east and south-west angles. They are approached by flights of outside steps, but are seldom used for access to the building. All the rooms on the ground floor, on both sides of the corridor which runs along the quadrangle front (20 in number), are apportioned to the Post Office Department — the Post Master General's room being in tha north east angle. In the centre of the east front there is a vestibule at the entrance (20 by 12 feet), in which there are three steps, running across its whole width. At the top of these is a door, with side and fan lights, and opposite there are piers and arches, and flights of stairs, simi- lar to those on tb<^ south front, leading to the first floor, attic, and the basement. In the basement are passages corresponding with the ground floor corridors ; the rooms in the rear part are similar to those on the floor above. Along the fronts the warm air vaults occupy a portion of the space, and diminish the sizes of the rooms, to which there is access only at points opposite the stairs, and at the ends of the passages. Tho rooms are chiefly occupied by the office-keepers of the various Departments, and for store rooms. The floors throughout are of Portland cement laid on concrete. There are three outside entrances in the rear of the building, by flights of steps in the sunk areas by which a large portion of the back part is surrounded. The boiler-house is situated in the angle formed by the rear lines of the east and south wings. This will be more particularly referred to under the head of Heating and Ventilation. , In the first floor the corridors run immediately over those in the floor below, and their 22 line is also broken by a similar number of archways. The openings a( the staircase are also carried \x]j the same as those on the ground floor. Tiiat portion west of the south centre entrance, together with the rooms in the west wing, are occupied by the Department of Public Works. These apartments arc 16 in number, that of the Minister being in the centre of the west wing. The south front, east of the entrance referred to, together with the whole of the east front, containing 31 rooms, have hitherto been occupied by the Department of Crown Lands. In the centre of the east front there is a landing from the stairs below, the stairs being continued to the attic. There are two stacks of water cloaets and urinals which are entered from the landings opposite the respective stairs. The attics of this l^lock have been fitted up for drafting roomS; and are lighted by a series of skylights on the flat portions of the roof. The two on the south front, which measure respectively 8G feet by 83 feet and 85 feet by 33 feet, arc occupied by the Public Works Department, and those on the east front 66 feet, by 34 feet and 63 feet by 34 feet, have been used by the Department of Crown Lands. There are also rooms in the south-east and south-west angle towers, the floors of which are a few steps below the attic. Opposite the landing of the stairs from the south centre entrance, there Is a narrow stairway leading to Photogiaphing Rooms connected with the Department of Public Works. These are situated in a compartment of the rear, in the higher portion of the roof, and the operating room is provided with a large skylight. The tracery windows in the projections at the angles, and on each side of the entrance doors, on both the ground and first floors, are glazed with quarry lights. The ground, first, and attic floors are formed of rolled iron joists and concrete, with pine floors in the rooms j the corridors are of Portland cement. The vestibules are laid with encaustic tiles, and the rooms generally ^"ive fire places, chimney pieces, wash basins, skirtings, doors and windows and cornices similar to those described in the Eastern Block. The principal stairs throughout both blocks are of Ohio blue sandstone rubbed. They are 5 feet wide, the ends are keyed into the side walls, aad the steps have moulded nosings. They are checked into each other, and the underside presents a fair surface, corresponding to the rise. Th..^ balusters are of ornamental wrought iron, with a heavy handrail of oak, which is stopped against the piers. They are generally called " han^ ing stairs." Both blocks are provided with safes for the preservation of impo.tant documents. The framework of the roofs is of wood sheeted with grooved and tongued boar Js ; the high-pitched portions are covered with slates arranged in bands of diflFercnt colors. The decks, or flat parts, are covered with galvanized iron laid on rolls ; and the valleys, angles, and flashings are of sheet lead. On the ridges of the roofs are ranges of ornamental wrought- irou crestings ; terminals are also fixed on all the towers, gables, dormers, &e. These are painted blue with the prominent points gilt. ■♦ 'h HEATING AND VENTILATION. The mode of heating adopted throughout the buildings ia by steam produced in boilers, situated near the centres of the respective blof^ks, and applied generally on what is termed the " Vault System." This may be briefly described as consisting of a stries of ducts for the admission of external air, ver which are constructed, in the interior of the buildingi, vaults for steam pipes leading from the boilers. The air enters these vaults through the perforated cover- ings of the ducts, is heated by coils of pipes, and subsequtntiy pasr.cs through oponings in the top of the \anlts, into the various rooms, &c. On this sysiem the two Legislative Chambers and the icntral portion of the Parliament Buildings are hea:*>d, with the 23' exception of the maia vestibule, and the rooms iumediatelj over it. Those, togother vrith both the wings, are heated by direct radiation fro oi steam coils, placed in the corridors and various apartments. The other two blocks of buildings are also heated on the Vault System, except a few rooms, where it was considered expedient to place coils for the purpose of heating by direct radiation. In this manner the attics are also warmed. PARLIAMENT BUILDING. The principal ducts for the admissioa of cold air to this Building are as follows : A line of duct runs from an inlet on the brow of the hill, on the west side of the grounds, T passing immedistely in rear of the wings, and through the centre of the Building to another inlet on the edge of the ravine on the east side, a distance of 840 feet. Froma'i inlet situated in front of the terrace, a line runs northwards through the centre of the Building to its termination on the brow of the hill in roar of the Library, a dis- of 540 feet. Parallel to this (and about 90 feet on both sides of it) there are two ducts, one in line with the west side of the House of Commons, and the other in line with the east side of the Senate Chamber. These are continued northwards from their junction with the main duct cast and west, to terminations at the brow of the hill. The meu.n length of each being about 050 feet. It will thus be seen that there are six inlets for the admission of external air to this Building. The bottoms of the ducts have a descent outwards from the Building to their respec- tive terminations. Those on the east and west sides, and in line with the Chambers have each a sectional area of about 6 by 3 foet, where they enter the Building, and at their outer 1 ends they have an area of 6 by 6 feet. The central duct from the brow of the hill to the boiler- ■ J^ house, has a minimum area of 10 by 3 fee% and at its northern inlet measures 10 by 6 feet. At the southern end it is about 9 by 4 feet, and is divided into two parts up to the front line of the Building. At a short distance from the terrace inlet there is a branch on each side running diagonally to the angle formed by the wings and central portion of the structure. Connected with the principal ducts are others round the walls of both Chi^mberrt, Heading rooms, &c., which are joined by one under the Picture Gallery. There are abo lines 4 feet wide along the passages, and around the wing courts which at diflferent points inter- sect the leading ducts : — and from the former there are several minor branches. There is also a transverse line passing through the centre of the Library, connecting those running north and south. The whole of the ducts are below the level of ^he base ment floor. Tho aggregate length of those connected with this building is 4,220 lineal feet, or about four-fifths of a mile. Of this length there are 2,611 feet in the interior. They are constructed of masonry faced with dressed limestone. Thoso portions outside the buildings are arched j in the interior they are covered with flags perforated for the admission of the air. The inlets at the brow of the hill are finished with cut stone terminations and wrought iron gratings. Boiler House. — The central court, 74J by 68 feet, is occupied by the boiler-house, the floor being sunk 10 feet bolo w the basement, and the level of the roof from 4 to 7 feet under the sills of the ground floor windows. It measures 17^ feet in height, and is divided into two compartments by 6 piers and 7 arches, built for the purpose of support- ing a tramway, on which fuel is brought in and placed in a position convenient to the furnaces. ■^ This tramway is 8 feet wide, and, together with the side walls occupies a space of 11 feet. The roof is supported by three built girders in the southern division, and by a girder bearing on four stone piers in the northern compartment. It is formed of rolled iron joists with transverse boards for retaining a bed of concrete 12 inches thick. In this fillets 3 by 3 inches are placed to receive the roof boarding, which is covered by galvanised iron laid on rolls. Light is admittc I through four elevated wrought-iron skylights, and by a series of ^ windows in the side-walls of the tramway. 24 To prevent the galvanized covering being injured, and to facilitate the removal of the snow that falls from the high roofs adjoining, it is sheeted with plank, and the skylights are protected in a similar manner. The smoke and extracting shaft for downward ventilation is situated in the centre at the north end. It is 15 feet square at the base, and built to a height of 155 feet. The interior opening, is 9 by 9 feet, in which are carried up and secured by cross-bars, two boiler- plate smoke pipes, each 21 inches diameter. The walls of the boiler-house, tramway piers, and the smoke shaft to t'"^ height of about 20 feet, are of dressed block limestone. Along the north end are placed six Cornish boilers, three on each side of the s moke shaft. These are each 20 feet long and 5 feet diameter, built in brick work and provided with cast-iron fronts. They are furnished with steam drums, safety valves, gauge cocks, steam valve's, &c., &e., and have been subjected to a cold water test of 100 lbs. pressure to the square inch. They are locked up at 30 lbs. pressure of steam. The centre arch under the tramway is occupied by a cistern for wcter from steam condensed in some of the pipes and coils. The arches alongside the walls lead to stairs from the east corridor of the House of Commons, and the west corridor of the Senate Chamber. The other arched spaces are used for the storage of fuel. In that portion of the boiler-house south of the tramway, are two cast-iron cisterns, each capable of containing 5,000 gallons. These are connected with the water supply (to be hereinafter described) and i».o intended as a reserve for the use of the boilers. Oa the east side is fitted up a steam pump calculated to force 200 gallons of water per minute to the height of the roofs of the main structure. This pump is for the purpose of supplying the boilers — and, in case of necessity, of throwing water into the roofs over the Legislative Chambers, with which it is connected by wrought-iron pipes. The principal lines of cold air ducts, previously referred to, intersect each other in the southern division of the boiler-house, Laving been formed with a descent, so that they pass under the floor. At this point a fan, 14 feet diameter, has been placed for the purpose of forcing cold air directly into the Legislative Chambers, or into the warm air vaults by which they are surrounded. This fan can be driven at such a velocity as may be deemed expedient, by means of a powerful steam engine, also placed in this division of the boiler house. Warm Air Vaults, — Over the cold air ducts described as running all round the interior faces of both Chambers, are situated warm air vaults, 5 feet wide and about 10 feet high, arched on top and constructed of brick. The lines of these vaults are intersected at four points by the tramway, which crosses them at a levci of 3 feet 6 inches over the top of the duct. At these points the vaults are stopped, and there are entrances to them by iron doors. Through the central portion of the building are warm air vaults, 4 feet wide and nine feet high, connecting with those round the Chambers. There is also another vault leading from the boiler-house under the main vestibule, with branches to the front walls — two on each side of the main entrance. From the rear line of the smoke shaft there is a warm air vault, 11 feet wide, leading to the Library, which has been built as far as tiie inner wall of that structure. There are also two lengths of about 20 feet'each under the passages ieading to the smoking rooms for both Houses. The aggregate length of these vaults (exclusive of those still to be constructed under the Library) is 926 lineal feet. It may therefore be said, that there are about 1,194 lineal feet of cold air ducts rendered applicable to the Vault System, and about 1,417 feet connected with the wings ind other parts of the Building, which are heated by direct radi- ation from coils. For the latter, flues are carried up in the walls from the cold air ducts to the various rooms and corridors above. The steam produced in the boilers, is conveyed by steam pipes to the remotest parts of the Buildings, attics and angle towers. Those forming the main lines are of oast iron, and generally 4 inches diameter; towards the extremities they are wrought iron of less me. Over the boilerb a pipe, 6 inches diameter, is carried from east to west and connected trith the steam drums. It is diminished to 4 inches diameter at each end, and leads into i 1 d k ] 1 26 the warm air vault under the respective Chambers, where it ia carried nearly all round them of a similar size. In the centre of the boiler-house a 6-inoh branch runs southward from the main steam pipe, to a point 10 feet beyond the inner face of the wall, where it is divided into two 4-inch pipes, leading right and left into the vaults under the central portion of the Building. From the same point a 2-inch pipe is carried into the vault under the main vestibule, where if branches off into two IJ-inch pipes. Each of these are again branched off into two 1-inch pipes, which are extended to the coils in the front of the Building, immediately under the ornamental arched openings in the main walls, on each side of the central entrance. The leading pipes are, in all cases, placed immediately over the perforations in the covering of the cold air ducts, so that the entering current is at once subjected to the action of heat. The temperature of the air is further increased by the large heating surface of numerous coils, placed in the upper portion of the vaults. These are generally composed of four rovs, and eight in width, of 1-inch pipe (or between 700 and 800 lineal feet each), laid to a gradual inclination. The highest part of each coil is connected with a vertical feed from the leading steam pipes, and at the lowest point it has a branch to the returc pipes, the latter being, in every case, of equal capacity to the main steam pipes, aud laid on the opposite side of the vaults. The coils are placed about 2 feet apart, and occupy nearly the whole length of all the warm air vaults. It will be evident, that the steam, after having circulated through such a length of pipe, has lost a considerable portion of its heat by radiation, so that at the point of junction with the main return pipes, there is a quantity of water. This descends into that portion of the pipe which runs along in front of the boilers, below the level of the floor, and is connected with them by branches and valves, for the parpose of admitting the water, which (by the operation of gravity, combined with the pressure of unexhausted steam in the pipe) enters when the pressures in the main return pipes and boilers are nearly alike. In the arches over the vaults around the Chambers, there are numerous openings for the exit of warm air. Prom these flues are carried up in the side walls, and the air is admitted to the Chamber by the line of perforated brass gratings, 61 feet over the floor of the House. This can be so adjusted as to regulate the supply. Air also passes through the ornamental grating under the gallery fronts. The other portions of the Building, which are heated on the Vault System, have flues conveying the warm air directly to registers in the various rooms. The system of heating by box coils is applied principally to the wings. The main steam and return pipes are extended from the warm air vaults, and raised nearly to the basement ceiling, and from those branch pipes run up in the flues from the cold air ducts to the coils in the various rooms, passages, &c., on the upper flooi's. The cold air flues have, in all cases, an opening behind the coils, wl^'ch are of differ- ent sizes — placed in recesses cut in the walls — and have in front cast-iron screens for the admission of warm air. There are also branch pipes from the ends of the vaults along the front portion of the wiugs and part of the rear, and one descending branch from the ceiling, which heats several of the basement rooms, in rear of the wing. These connect in a return pipe in the vault, which is carried separately to .a tank in the boiler-house. Similar arrangements are adopted for heating the dining-rooms, closets, &c.,in that portion of the basement alongside both Houses. Steam pipes are also carried up to, and along the attics to the angle towers, where coils are placed in the tank rooms, for the purpose of preventing the water freezing during winter. Coils of steam pipes are also placed in the ventilating towers, at the north end of the Chambers, to increase the upward draught. Ventilation. — Two modes have been adopted for the ventilation of the Chambers, one termed the " Upward System," and the other the " Downward System." The latter provides for drawing off the vitiated air near the floor, through perforated gratings, in the risers of the platforms, on which the Members' seats are placed. These gratings open into spaces between the arches under the floors of the Houses, which are connected at several places with foul air ducts running around the Chambers in the basement passages. These ducts are all joined at the north-east and north-west angles of the respective Houses, and from thenoe extended, bo as to enter the main extracting shaft, at a level of 7 feet ovor the boiler-house floor. 26 The air in tbe sbaft being rarefied by the heat of the iron smoke pipes, an upward draught is created, by which the foul air is rapidly extracted through the ducts from the Chambers, and escapes through the side openings formed near the top. The " Upward System" may be described as consisting chiefly of a series of small ventiducts, arranged along the ceiling, and leading to others at the sides, of larger capacity, with openings into the ventilating sha'^ts, situated at the north ends of the Chambers. Over the ranges of quatre-foil openings, between the panelled work of the ceilings, are placed semicircular ducts, 11 inches diameter, running from north to south, and joined to others (extending from east to west), 15 inches wide, 9 inches high at the centre, and 18 inches high at the sides. The htter are connected with large triangular ducts, formed in the roof on each side, leading directly into the outlet shafts. In the shafts are steam coils for the purpose of rarefying the air, and producing a current through the various ducts to the towers and other openings at the top. The two systems above mentioned are in effective operation in both Chambers. In the House of Commons, there is, however, additional means of upward ventilation provided, by the insertion of cast-iron perforated gratings in eight of the centre panels of the ceilings over the galleries. These communicate with large ventiducts leading to the shafts, and con- structed under the roof on each side of the Chamber. / 11 the main ventiducts have doers near their outlets for regulating the draught, and the gallery ventilation is separated from that of the Chamber by a vertical partition in the shaft, to guard against cross currents. In the other parts of the Building, (whether heated on the vault or coil systems), ventilation is eflFected by means of registers placed near the floors and ceilings of the respective rooms and corridors. These registers open to flues communicating with galvanized iron ventiducts, increasing in size from 7 to 26 inches diameter as they approach the ventilating shafts, and are joined by flues from the numerous suites of rooms. The shafts are situated alongside the Committee stairs, and in the angle formed by the rear line of the wings and the walls of the Chambers. The Picture Gallery is ventilated by a flue formed for that purpose in a chimney at each side. DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS, The mode of heating adopted for these buildings is, as already stated, with a few exceptions, on the Vault System — external air being introduced through a number of ducts below the level of the basement floor. Eastern Block. — The cold air ducts for this Block are generally 3 feet 9 inches wide, and 2 feet 3 inches high, and are constructed of dressed limestone, with a covering of flags, in the interior of the building : those outside are chiefly of a good class of rubble masonry, arched over. They are of different shape to those inside, but of a larger sectional area. There are throe inlets on the quadrangle front ; two on the south front ; one on th« east front; and five in the rear. In all, eleven in number. The six front inlets are "immediately alongside the front walls of the building, where they have small cut itone terminations, with vertical iron gratings. The three di? in rear of the south and west fronts meet at a point 75 feet north of the Agricultural 'ij. From thence they are continued northward to the brow of the ravine, near which , t they are joined by two others from the north end of the building. The whole then form one group — but each duct is carried separately throughout —and they have a cut stone termination with wrought-iron gratings, &c. Their aggregate length is 2,215 feet, of whioh 945 feet are in the interior of the building. fioiler House. — The boiler-house measures 31 x 42 feet, and is situated in the angle fovmed by the reai line of the west and south portions of the building. It is entered bya door from the area in the rear. From this there is a flight of steps down to the floor, which is sunk 10 feet below the level of the basement, and is paved with dressed limestone. The walls are carried up 21 feet high, of dressed block limestone, and the roof is formed of rolled iron 27 joists, upon the lower flanges of which transverse boarding is laid, supporting a bed of con- crete 10 inches thick. In this are imbedded 3x3 inch fillets, and upon these the roof boarding is nailed, which is covered by galvanized iron laid upon rolls. The whole is supported by built girders resting on the walls. The roof has a slight inclination towards the north, and light is admitted through an elevated wrought-iron skylight. In the south-east angle of the boiler-house there is a smoke flue and ventilating shaft carried up to a height of 100 feet over finished surface, 11^ feet square, with an inside opening of 6J feet square. In this is a brick flue, 18 inches diameter inside, carried up to the level of the attic floor. From this point to the top there is an 18-inch boiler-plate pipe. From the boiler-house two underground flues, 2 feet diameter, are connected with the ventilating shaft in rear, opposite tne south entrance. In this an 18-inch brick flue is also carried up to the level of the attic, and from thence an 18-inch boiler-plate pipe to the top. There are two Cornish boilers, 20 feet long and 5 feet diameter, built in brickwork, and fitted up with all the requisite apparatus. They have been tested to a pressure of 100 lbs. to the square inch, and locked up to a pressure of 30 lbs. of steam. They are provided with ornamental cast-iron fronts. Fuel is supplied through an opening in the east wall, a little over the surface of the ground. In the north-east corner is placed a wrought-iron tank into which the draw-off from the steam pipes is discharged. Alongside of this is a steam pump for supplying the boilers. In a room adjoining the boiler-house there is a wrought-iron tank capable of holding 5,000 gallons, fed from the water supply pipes. Warm Air Vaults. — In front, and alongside of the basement passages in the south and west portions of the building, is a line of warm air vaults, 4 feet wide and 484 feet long. This is however, interrupted by two passages to the front basement rooms, one 7 feet, and the other 4 feet wide. Where the line of vaults is thus broken they are provided with iron doors at eacn end. Under the narrower corridor of the Agricultural wing there is a vault 67 feet long and 4 feet widti. Between the basement passages and the rear of the building near the several stacks of closets there are also three short lengths of vault, about 22 feet each. At the north end there is an extension of the main vault, 62 feet long, which reaches to within 16 feet of the east end of the wing. The total length of vaults is about 680 feet. They are built of brick, arched on top, and generally about 9 feet high. Four-inch steam and return pipes are laid above the perforated covers of the cold air ducts along the whole length of the main vault. From these pipes of smaller diameter are extended in the branches at the Agricultural and north wings, and the short lengths leading to the water closets. In all cases the return pipes are of the same capacity as the steam pipes, and the vaults are supplied with a series of coils arranged in a similar manner to those described for the Parliament Buildings. Steam is supplied to all the latter through a 4-inch pipe which runs across the north ends of the boilers, and is continued in the same line, to an arched way, and thence to a connection in the main vault, at a point about 34 feet north of the main tower. The return pipe at the boiler-house is dropped below the level of the floor, and carried along in front of the boilers, with which it is connected by two stand pipes having regulating valves. The basements are heated by pipes leading from the mains, and communicating with coils in the different rooms. The returns from these lead into the main return pipes. There is a separate 2-inch steam pipe carried up alongside the north wall of the main tower, for the purpose of heating the large model room on the south front, and other attic rooms on the quadrangle. This is also extended to heat the tank rooms, in the towers. In the arches of the warm air vaults, are openings, communicating with flues in the walls, which conduct the warm air through registers into the various front rooms and corridors above. Heated air is also conveyed, by means of galvanized iron pipes, across the passages in the basement, to flues in the corridor wall, which lead to the rooms in the rear portion of building. 28 The rooms in the Agricultural vring, to vhich the Vault System does not fully extend, are warmed by means of horizontal and box steam coils. VENTILATION. The various rooms on the quadrangle froat are ventilated by flues, 8 J by 8 J inches, carried up in the walls and having registers situated at the floors and near the ceilings. These flues lead into a series of 9-inch earthenware pipes, laid along the attic floor, communicating with the arched brick ventiduct, 9. J lect by 3 feet 9 inches, over the western corridor. This discharges at its southern end into the ventilating shaft at the south-west angle of the boiler-house. The rooms in the north wing have similar pipes leading into the north end of the ventiduct. The south front is ventilated from each end, towards the centre, the main duct over the corridor being divided by a partition wall opposite the ventilating shaft in the rear, at the south entrance. From this point, tvo separate arched branches lead into the shcft. The pipes from the flues to the north portions of the ventiduct are of earthenware, and 9 inches diameter. The pipes are in all cases laid so as to join the ventiducts in the direction of the escaping foul air current. Those from some of the rooms lead into chimneys which are provided with separate flues for that purpose. WESTERN BLOCK. The cold air ducts for this Block have two inlets on the south front; one on the west; and five in the rear : nine in all. Those in the front consist ot plain openings in the area walls, provided with gratings ; except that on the west side, wliich has a cut stone termination. The three in rear of the quadrangle front meet at a point about 40 feet from the building, and are continued in a westerly direction to the brow of the hill, where they form one range in the termination. The other two are carried to the same point, and immediately over those just mentioned, and form a second range at a higher level. At the edge of the hill they are finished in dressed block limestone, and furnished with wrought-iron gratings. In the interior, the main duct runs along near the centre of the building for the whole length of the south and west sides ; from which branches lead off to the several inlets. The aggregate length of the ducts is 2,564 feet — of these 842 feet are in the inte- rior. They are 3 het 9 inches wide and 2 feet 3 inches high, with sides of dressed lime- stone covered with flags in the interior and arched over outside the building. The boiler-house is 40 feet square, and situated in the rear angle formed by the west and south portions of the block. It is sunk to the same depth below the basement floor, similarly roofed and fitted up as that of the Eastern Block, with the exception that there is one built girder, which is supported by two cast-iron columns. There are two Cornish boilers, 20 feet long and 5 feet in diameter, with all the requisite apparatus for regulating the supply of water and steam. The warm air vaults are 570 feet in length, of the same sectional area, and with steam coils fitted up in them in like manner as described fur the Eastern Block. The steam pipes are arranged, and the heating of the basement, attics, and tank rooms in the towers is effected in the same way as in the Eastern Block. There is also a smoke and ventilating shaft in the angle of the boiler-house, and another connected with it by underground flues. This is situated in rear of the west front, near its north-west angle. The warm air flues and flues for ventilation are carried up in the walls. The latter connect with numerous 9-inch earthenware pipes, leading into arched brick ventiducts constructed over the corridors, and communicating with the ventilating shafts in the same manner as already described for the other Block. The lengths of the various cold air ducts, warm air vaults, flues, pipes, &c., connected with the heating and ventilation of all the Buildings are, approximately, as follows : — Cold air ducts 8,999 lineal feet. Warm air vaults 2,186 " T 29 Cold and warm air flues , 8,668 lineal feet. Fluea for ventilation 19,224 Chimney flues 18,600 Arched brick ventiducts 800 Galvanized iron and earthenware ventiducts 11,938 Cast-iron pipe, 6 and 4 inches diameter 4,400 Wrought-iron pipe, 1 inch diameter and upwards 111,000 DRAINAGE. The main drains from all the Buildings discharge into the Ottawa River at three points, at the northern base of the hill. They are sunk so as to drain the respective boiler- houses, which, as previously stated, are 10 feet below the level of the basement floors. This unavoidably entailed deep cuttinjiS in rock of irregular strata and difficult of excavation. The upper portions of the trenches we^-c, however, used as a channel for the cold air ducts. Parliament Buildings. — The main drain runs westward from the boiler-house, passing in rear of the wing, and immediately under the cold air duct, to the brow of the hill, a distance of 355 feet. J.t is 4 feet 6 inches high, 3 feet wide, arched on the top and bot- tom, and built of cut block limestone. All the pipe drains from the various stacks of water-closets, wash -basins, tScc, on the west side, empty into this drain near the north west angle of the wing. It is continued down the steep face of the bank to the margin of the river in a casliron pipe, 268 feet long, 12 inches diameter, where it joins a wrought- iron tube, 22 feet long, built into a crib sunk at short distance from the shore. This crib serves to keep the pipe clear and protect it from injury by ice or otherwise. The eastern side is drained by a number of pipes leading Irom the various closets, wash-basins, &c., which connect with a leading earthenware pipe, 12 inches diameter. This is carried to the brow of the hill and joins the main drain from the Eastern Block. Eastern Bloch. — The main drain from this Block runs eastward from the cast side of the house a distance of 65 feet, where it is joined by a branch 87 feet long. From this boiler- point it is continued northward under the line of one of the ducts to the brow of the hill. It is 432 feet long, 4 feet 6 inches high, and 2 feet 6 inches wide, built of cui block limestone, and arched both at the top and bottom. Into this the various pipe drains from the closets, wash-basins, &c., are emptied at several points. From the brow of the hill it is continued in a brick barrel drain, 2 feet diameter and 720 feet in IcLigth, to the river, where it is joined to a boiler-plate tube of the same diameter, the end of which is l}uilt in pier-work carried out to deep water. In addition to this, there is a surface drain, running from the north end of the Block along the west and south fronts, with connections from the several areas. This drain is continued out to the east brow of the hill, and thence downwards along the face of the ravine to a junction with the 2-feet barrel drain above mentioned, at a point 85 feet from its commencement. Western Block. — The principal drain for the Western Block runs out of the north side of the boiler-house, and turns toward the west, whence it is continued to the brow of the hill under the line of one of the cold air ducts. It is 367 feet long, built and of similar dimensions and class of masonry as that for the Eastern Blocks. All the drains from closets, wash-basins, «&;c., discharge into this in rear of the building. From the brow of the hill to the river it is continued in a brick barrel drain, 2 feet dia- meter, 476 feet in length, the end of which is united to a wrought-iron tube built into a crib sunk in the livor at a distance of 56 feet from the shore. so There are ulso surfaco drains carried nearly all round this Block : they are connected with the several areas, and discharge into the main drain at two places in rear of the building. Along the terrace in front of the Farliameut Built^'ng (which has an inclination outwards), at a distance of about 20 feet from the top of the slope, a water-table of dressed stone has been laid. This is for the purpose of carrying off the surfaco water to gratings at each end, fVom which earthenware pipes convey it into the drains on the west and cast sides of the grounds. A similar water-table, but of larger dimensions, has been laid across the quadrangle, in line with the southern fronts of the Departmental Blocks. This takes the surface water from the square, and discharges it into the drain that passes along the southern front of the Eastern Block. GAS SUPPLY. In 1865, a contract was entered into with the "By town Oonsumers' Gas Company," for the supply of the Illuminating Coal Gas required for all the Public Buildings, for a period of ten years ; the Company being bound to lay down an 8-inch main from their works to the entrance to the Government grounds, and to furnish the gas in such quan- tities as might from time to time be required, the same to be measured at the Buildings by meters provided by the Government. The main enters at the gate, opposite Elgin street, and is carried directly (a distance of 110 feet) into a meter room, fitted up alongside the main tower of the Eastern Block, where all the gas used is measured. For this purpose, a laige dry meter has been pro- vided, and placed, capable of registering the full quantity of gas that can pass through an 8-inch pipe. The exit pipe is also 8 inches diameter, and is continued of this size 07 feet west- ward, or nearly on a line with the quadrangle front of the Eastern Block, where it is divided into three branches, one 4-inch branch 75 feet long, leading back to the Eastern Block, and another 4-inch pipe is continued across the quadrangle, a distance of 738 feet to the Western Block. The centre pipe is 6 inch diameter, and is laid through the square on a curved line to the Parliament Building, a distance of 716 feet, where it enters the meter room described as being in the basement, west of the main vestiuble. At about 160 feet south of this, a 4-inch branch sweeps round to the meter room on the Senate side, a distance of 240 feet. From this 4-inch branch a 2-inch pipe leads off to the eastern side of the Building, and is continued along the south front, and around the east end to the Speaker's entrance. A 2-iDch pipe also leads westward from the 6-inch pipe above mentioned, and runs around the west end to the Speaker's tower on the Com- mons side. These 2-inch pipes pre used solely tor the purpose of lighting the outside entrances, and have no connection whatever with those in the interior. In each of the meter rooiris above mentioned, a 1,000-light dry meter has been fitted for registering the quantity of illuminating gas consumed in tlic Offices and Chambers, occunied by the respective bruuches of the Legislature. On the Commons side, the exit pipe is 6 inches diameter, and within the room is divided into four brunches, one of thc^e (2 inches diameter) is for supplying the gas lights around the corridors, and the small lights in tlie angles of the Chamber. In addition to this, however, on the Senate side it supplies light for the Bar, and standards on each side of the Throne. Another (3 inches diameter) is conducted towards the Library, but at present it is only used to light one half the Picture Gallery and Smoking rooms, together with some rooms in the ba.sement. The third branch (3 inches diamet«r) is carried to the ceil- ing of the Chamber, for the purpose of supplying the gaseliers by which it is lighted. 81 The fourth braooh is also 3 inobes diameter, and supplies the Post Office, Waiting, and other looms in the central portion of the Building on both floors. It is carried along the ceiling of the basement passage, to a point under the west corridor of the House, where it is divided into two 2-inch pipes, one of which is continued northward, and supplies light to the Saloon, Dining Rooms, and closets in the basement. From this branches load up to the Wardrobe, Speaker's rooms, closets, Reading room on the ground floor, and also to the Reporters' rooms above. The other 2-inch pipe is for supplying the wing, and is carried along the basement passages, diminishing in size as it approaches the west end of the Building. The smaller pipes for supplying the rooms and corridors above are carried up from this in chases cut in the walls, and are led off between the concrete and floor to the centre of the rooms for pendants, and to the sides for brackets. The gas fittings in all the rooms are of the best descriptions manufactured for general use. Those in the Chambers and vestibule, however, arc plain ring burners, formed of wrought-iron pipe, and intended to servo until arrangements are made to provide others of a more suitable kind. ; / Eastern Block. — As before stated, all the gas supplied by the Company is measured in Uie main meter room of this Block; and is immediately led out of the building in a pipe of the same size as the supply main. The gas for this Block re-enters by a 3-inch pipe, and is carried up near the north- east angle of the main tower, where there is a 100 -light meter placed for registering the coasumption. The 8-inch pipe is continued vertically to the attics, and from it branches lead along the south and west corridors and attics, diminishing in size as they approach the east and north ends of the building. Those in the corridors are imbedded in the concrete, and laid with an inclination. In the ground floor they are 1} inches diameter, where they lead off from the main pipe. These supply the various basement rooms and passages, together with the boiler- house. Those on the first floor are 2 inches diameter, with branches laid for brackets in the various rooms and corridors, and for pendants in the principal apartments. On both the ground and first floors these pipes are laid on that side of the corridor next the rear of the building. The branches carried along in the attic supply the various rooms and corridors on the first fioor, the model and other rooms in the attics, and the various apartments over these, in the Agricultural wing. From the 8-inch exit main a 2inch branch is led along the south front of the build- ing, and round the east end to the entrance to the Agricultural wing. From this it is con- tinued IJ inch diameter for a distance of 55 feet. From the 4-inch pipe (diminished to 3 inches before entering the wall) which supplies this Block, a 2-inch pipe is carried along the west front to the Governor General's porch, where it is diminished to 1 J inches, and extended to the north end of the building. These outside pipes are for the sole purpose of supplying gas to the lamps at the various entrances. Western Block. — From the 4-inch pipe for this Block above referred to, a 2-inch pipe is carried along the quadrangle front to the entrance porch ; from thence it is extended 1 J inches diameter to the north end of the building. There is also a 2 inch pipe leading along the south front to the centre entrance, where it is reduced to IJ inch, and is extended to the west end. These pipes are for sup- plying the lamrs at the different entrances. The 4-inch pipe which is carried across the square, is reduced to 3 inches where it passes through the oast wall of the south-east angle tower. In a room adjoining this, there ia a 100-light meter for measuring the gas consumed. The supply pipe is carried up vertically to the attics, and from this branches are im- bedded in the concrete floors along the sides of the corridors next the rear of the building. There are also branches in the attics. All the pipes are of like dimensions, and laid in a similar manner to those in the Eastern Block. The position for brackets in the various rooms have been arranged to meet the views 82 of the Hoadfl of Departmenta, but no gas flttinga have as yet been provided for either the Eastern or Western Blocks. As already stated the pipes for supplying gas to the entrance lamps load directly off the mains outside, and have no connection with those in the interior of tho different Buildings. The gas thus consumed, is therefore only registered by tho main meter, and its cost should bo apportioned to the respective branches of tho Legislature, and the two blocks of Departmental Buildings. BELLS. The system of bells originally contemplated, was that in ordinary use, rung by means of pulls, cranks, and wires. This, althougli advantageously applied to hou.scs of moderate size, constructed in the usual manner, was, after mature consideration, believed to be wholly unsuitable for structures of tho magnitude and character of the Public Buildings. The chief objections being the great distances the rooms wcro apart between which com- munication had necessarily to be established ; the circuitous route the wires would in many oases have to bo carried, and the difficulty of making passages for them, through the floors and walls, together with the numerous cranks required. It thertoro appeared evident, that bell wires from 200 to 300 leet long (which they must frequently have been), would stretch so much by an ordinary pull as to render cranks of the usual size, wholly ineffi- cient. It was therefore i,jcoma}ended, that a system of Electric Bells should be adopted, as they had been extensively used in large buildings elsewhere. This w 1 As above statb.l, the simple system, in which only one current is used, is applied to this Building. The battery for the Commons side is situated in tho meter room, west of the main vestibule, and is generally made up of twenty-four cells. From this, wires from both poles aro carried up to and pass along the and the ions f 3ga. lag I of 35 the locality, that the most advantageous site for the necessary work would be on the rivers edge in the rear of the Librarv, where the point stands furthest out iuto the current, and the purest water would most likely be obtained. The cliff being at almost all parts steep to the waters' edge, except at one place, where there was a small surface of flat rock, at a level of about 9 feet above low water, this was selected as the best position for the engine-house. The river has here a maximum variation of about 24 feet, between its highest and lowest stages ; and it was, of course indiapensable that the pumps should be so arranged as to be accessible during periods of highest water. To avoid excavating into the face of the hill, which would have been both unsightly and expensive, it was decided to place the river front of the engine-house, only 14 feet back from the line of low water mark, and carry up the foundation walls to the required height. For the purpose of admitting water into the receiving well, which is situated under the north part of the engino-house, a trench 8 feet wide was excavated in the solid rock, to a depth ot 6 feet under low water line, and carried out to deep water in the river. On each side of the ti-ench for 15 feet from the front of the engine-house, walls are carried up, and the space between them arched over. Immediately outside of this, lines of cribwork are carried on either side, and the space over the trench covered with timber. At the outer end is a coarse rack to prevent any large pieces of floating timber from entering. Where the stone arch ends, another rack is placed across the trench, the open ing") being only | of an inch between the vertical bars of which it is formed. Inside the stone arch, and under the front line of the engine-house, there is a filter 6 feet square, formed of two sheets offinely perforated copper, placed 2 feet 3 inches apart, and stayed by an^le pieces of brass. This is divided horizontally into four compartments in height. The entire space is filled with clean gravel — the divisions being for -the purpose of lessening the great pressure which there would otherwise be at the base. All the water entering the receiving well passes through this filter. Means are provided for shutting off the water, at a point outside of the fine rack, when access can be had from the receiving well to the covered way, in which the filters, &c., are placed. During the season for running i,':nber, these outside works are submerged ; a strong boom has therefore been provided, and moored in such a position, as to effectually protect them from injury by rafts, &c. ; this also serves to keep the entrance clear from pieces of floating timber. The engine-house is 86 feet square inside, and is divided into two portions by a wall running east and west. In the north compartment the two pump wells are situated. They are 9 feet long, 3 feet 3 inches wide, and 12 fee* 6 inches deep. In each of these is placed a double acting, force and lift pump, G inches diameter, and 2 feet stroke. The suction pipes are carried under arches through the walls, and dropped vertically into the receiving well, the ends being furnished with large copper roses. The well is accessible either directly from the top, or by means of a stair leading down to it inside of the building. The exit pipes of the pumps are carried to a cylindrical air vessel, 2 feet 6 inches diameter, and 13 feet high, placed on a foundation of solid masonry, carried up alongside the west wall. This vessel serves, by the reflex pressure of the air contained in its upper portion, to equalize the flow through the main, and prevent damage by sudden jars or sliccks to the machinery. On the exit pipes arc stop valves, which permit of one or both of the pumps being used, as may be required. Immediately outside the air vessel, a reflux valve has been provided and fixed, which relieves the pumps from back pressure when aot at work. A 2-inch pipe is led from the underside of the main (just outside the reflux valve), for the purpose of emptying it; on this is placed a safety valve, weighted to about 90 lbs. to the square inch, so as to permit escape of water, should the prepsuro in the pipe exceed that due to a column of 210 feet high. The pumps arc driven by steam power. For this purpose a horizontal high-pressure steam engine has been fitted up in the southern division of the house. This engine has I 36 14-inch diameter of cylinder, and 30-inch stroke, with a strong cast-iron bed plate, resting on a foundation of dressed block limestone carried up from the rock. It is provided with all necessary valves and fittings complete, and connected with a locomotive boiler formed off-inch iron plate, containing seventy-nine wrought-iron tubes of 3 inches diameter and 10 feet long, with a fire-box 6 feet by 4 I'cct '> inches. This boiler has a proper steam- chest, safety-valve, gauge-cocks, &c., and was tested by a pressure of 150 lbs. to the square inch. It is connected with the smoke-s-haft by a flue 2 feet square, lined with le to con- enquired session of tjects. It lich led to fly on the ig put in execution . and mth Icte plans an a much ventilation works of y irrespec- itted. 10 feet in •esponding ere carried warm air nil, which, m in addi- ;ted up for basements :a, in order le vicinity, 'orka were Qcrete, not iy forming the thick- nation was mgea were hey would lent events Ig like the made, and ible settle- ed at first, lent would I style and t of which It ifl doubtless true that in the construction of a'-ge buildings there generally arises unforseen causes of expenditure which swell theuit ..ate cost beyond the sum anticipated ; but it is, nevertheless, to be regretted that the nature of the site chosen for these structures was not fully ascertained at the outset. It would have also been well that a system of heating and ventilation evidently entailing so large an outlay should have baen clos ;ly investigated and, if fully approved, after its probable cost had been submitted, it should have been made to form part of the plans before tenders were invited, as a great number of air-flues, and recesses for steam-coils, &c., had subsequently to be formed in the wallx, and arrangements made for cold air ducts and warm air vaults. Thus the contract works of the interior had to be so much changed that it was alleged by the coniractors to be all but impossible to separate " contract " from " additional work." Besides, a large portion of the work connected with heating and ventilation were in such positions th?*'. they had to be executed before ^e contract works could bo commenced, so that when the appropri- tion of 1857 was exhausted and operations suspended, in 1861, it was found that a sum fully equal to that paid on the contract had been expended on additional works. At this time the outside walls of the Departmental Blocks were generally carried up to the le^ of the main cornice; and the principal part of the Buildings roofed in, but not slated. The towers were of a similar height to the main walls. The south front and wings of the Parliament Building were also built up to the line of the main cornice, and the interior walls considerably advanced, but no part of the permanent roof was on. The foundation walls of the Library were carried up to the plinth course, and the exterior works partly executed. The contractors having prepared and delivered a large quantity of material when the works were stopped, and having the requisite plant provided, the G-overnment, therefore, deemed it advisable to first offer them the completion of the Buildings as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, and this having been accepted, operations were resumed in May, 1863, upon a basis by which many of the difficulties hitherto experienced were obvi- ated, inasmuch as the different classes of work done were measured and paid for at a fixed schedule of rates, and proportionate prices for items to which the schedule annexed to the contract did not directly apply. The Departmental Buildings were accordingly completed in 1866, and a final settle- ment made for the work done under the^second contract was satisfactoi'iy and promptly effected. The contract for the Parliament Building, however, still remains in force, as the upper part of the main tower of that structure is yet unfinished, and the Library, as before stated, is only earned up a few feet higher than the roof of the lean-to by which the central part is surrounded. With these exceptions, the whole ot the Building has been completed. Taking into consideration the many difficulties which have attended the construction of the Buildings, arising chiefly from the causes above referred to, it is, nevertheless, satis- factory to be able to state, that the work generally has been performed in a substantial manner, and at a rate which, under the circumstances, cannot be deemed excessive. The interior arrangements appear to be well adapted to the requirements of the ser- vice; the various apartments are suitably fitted up, and some of the best modern improve- ments have been introduced. The House of Commons has been adapted for the increased number of Members ; additional means have been provided for ventilation, and an attempt has also been made to improve its acoustic properties. The original arrangement ot the seats in the Senate Chamber has not been altered^ but some additional ones have been provided, The pxterior effect of this group of Buildings is greatly enhanced by the natural beauty and prominence of the site, which renders them conspicuous from every part of the surrounding couutry, so that, in approaching the city in any direction, their irregular ruas.s and numerous towers present a constantly changing and picturesque app^earance. Upon closer inspection, their vast extent, ornate character and architectural merits, become appa- .rent ; and, in brief, they may be fairly classed amongst the best specimens of the pointed Gothic style on this continent. 42 WORKS TO COMPLETE. The origiDal design for the Library of Farliamont contemplated the construction of a froined roof, the ribs being of stone, and the spaces between them filled in with hollow riok ; the ribs to be supported by marble columns, resting on corbels of the same material. The groin to be 42 feet in height, and the springing line 40 feet over the floor. In the centre of the vaulted space is an opening of fully 30 feet in diameter, the main ribs being 80 arranged as to touoh its circumference and continue in a vertical plane between the springers. Over this opening is a groined lantern, 42 feet high, the top of vrhich is 124 feet oVer the level of the floor. The Library is to be circular inside, and 90 feet diameter. The main wall is about 4 feet thick, and its exterior face forms a polygon of 16 sides, at each angle of which is a flying buttress, spanning the roof of the lean-to and joining the main wall at a height cal- culated to resist the thrust of the vaulted roof. This thrust is thrown in the direction of the greatest resistance, and every precaution apparently adopted to render the vaulting secure. The design, as a whole, is bold, and, if carried out in its entirety, woulckdoubtless, be very effective. It is, however, to be feared from the largo span and the great weight of material in the vault, together with that in the high lantern over it (the central portion being open), that any imperfection in the works might lead to serious consequences. But, without ex- pressing a decided opinion as to the advisability of adopting the present design or otherwise, it might be well to consider whether the same object could not be effected with a greater degree of certainty by the construction of an iron roof, especially as stone of the required dimensions for a vaulted roof of this span could only be obtained (if at all) at great labor and expense. Indeed, a dome-shaped ceiling and lantern of wood might possibly be built, which would answer the purpose, as its great height over the floor would place it out of the reach of fire from the interior, whilst the outside roof (required in any case) being covered with slate and galvanized iron, or lead, would afford protection to the exterior of the building. The roof of the main tower has not yet been commenced ; it is proposed to be of wood, covered with tin or galvanized iron, octagonal in plan, and tapering to the deck on top, which is 52 feet 6 inches above the pinnacles at the angles, and about 208 feet above the level of the terrace. Upon this a wrought-iron terminal is to be placed, the dimensions of which have not been determined. * The cost of these works is approximately estimated r- 5185,OOO.0D. Nothing has yet been done towards the permanent fencing, or the ornamentation of tb* grounds ; nor have the roads been extended as far as necessary. The outlay for this will, of course, depend upon the character of the works under- taken; but, it is presumed, that a proper fence will be made alongside of Wellington street, a distance of 1,750 feet. This might be formed of a wall about three 3 feet 6 inches over the level of the street, of a good class of masonry, coped with cut stone., and having an ornamental iron railing on top, with gates at the several entrances. The higher por- tions of the grounds along this street ought to be dressed to a slope, terminating at the rear of the wall, where a proper drain should be constructed. A similar fence and drain might be continued along the east side of Bank street, to the brow of the hill. It would also be desirable that a fence should be carried round the edge of the cliff, so as to com- plete the enclosure of the grounds. The square only has been graded, the other portions arc as yet untouched, whilst the surface being in many places irregular, it is important that steps should be taken at least to reduce it to some degree of uniformity. For this purpose it would be well that a general plan were agreed upon before the works are commenced. The question of establishing an efficient system of general management for all the Buildings under one competent head, has frequently been brought under the notice of the Department. This has been urged for the reason, that buildings of this extent and character, will require a considerable annual outlay for maintenance, which could be more '13 judiciously applied by a person wbose sole business it would be to keep the Baildiugs and works connected with them in a thorough state of repair, and the grounds (when finished) in proper order, than if the service were intrusted to various parties who have other duties to perform. It will always be found difficult to keep the numerous decks, valleys, &o., of the roofs staunch, as the metal coverings of these portions expands and contracts considerably dur- ing the extremes of heat and cold. This will rer; jire the attention of a meohanio under the superintendence of a practical person. If ice or snow is allowed to collect in the valleys, when a sudden thaw occurs, the water is backed up under the slates, and enters the building; and where a low roof is con- structed, immediately adjoining a higher one, ice, if permitted to form, be'^omes detached during thaws, and when it falls damages the roof below. The snow must therefore be removed from many parts of the roof during winter, and the performance of this service should only be intrusted to careful men, tts damage has already been done, both to the slates and metal coverings, by careless or unskilful persons. The roof projections are so small, and there being no eavestroughs, the water falls directly on the basement walls, and the alternate action of wet and frost upon them, takes out the pointing, which must be renewed from time to time. The proper working of the drains, and numerous other matters outside, will have to be looked after, besides the important duties of attending to the extensive apparatus of heat- ing and ventilation, the works connected with water supply and distribution, gas' service, electric bells, «to., all of which would fully occupy the attention of an energetic and com- petent person, through whom all the expenditure for these purposes could be made. It is believed that the information called for, on matters relating to the Public Build- ings, has now been supplied in such an extended form, as to enable all the important sub- jects connected with them, to be readily understood. If, however, further details are required, it is presumed that they can be obtained from the numerous special reports and letters in the possessioi^ of the Department. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, JOHN PAGE, Chief Engineer, Public W/otki. I 7