Clere, FitzGerald and Richmond (P. de J. Clere, F.R.I.B.A., and Gerald FitzGerald, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E.), Architects, Phœnix Chambers, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone 635. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. Clere, Boulcott Terrace (telephone 394); Mr. FitzGerald, Grant Road. Mr. Clere, who is a son of the Rev. Henry Clere, M.A., Vicar of Tickenham, Somersetshire, was born in Rochdale in 1856. His mother was the authoress of several well-known religious books. Mr. Clere went to St. John's School, Clapton, London. He was articled to Mr. Edmund Scott, A.B.I.B.A., architect, Brighton, and afterwards became chief assistant to Mr. R. Jewell Withers, F.B.I.B.A., of the Adelphi, London, a well-known ecclesiastical aichitect. The training Mr. Clere received in the Old Land” qualified him for the important duties which have devolved upon him since he landed in Wellington in 1877 from the good ship “Hurunui” After a short time spent in private offices and in the Government service, Mr. Clere commenced the practice of his profession in Feilding, where he resided for four years. In. 1883 he removed to Wanganui, joining Mr. Atkins, under the style of Atkins and Clere. The same year he was appointed architect to the Wanganui Education Board, and was also made the Wellington Diocesan architect. The firm of Atkins and Clere was dissolved by mutund consent in the year 1886, by which time Mr. Clere had established the present business in Wellington. In 1891 Mr. Clere became associated with Mr. E. T. Richmond, son of Mr. Justice Richmond, with whom he conducted a rapidly-extending business till 1895, when the partnership was dissolved, owing to the junior partner leaving for Australia on account of health. Mr. Clere has received many honours in connection with his profession. In 1878, on the nomination of the then president, Sir Horace Jones, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects; in 1882, four years later, he was made a Fellow of the Institute, and in 1894 he became the first New Zealand secretary to that society. Mr. FitzGerald is a son of Mr. J. E. FitzGerald, C.M.G., Controller-General. He was born in Christchurch, and educated at the Thorndon Grammar School, Wellington, and by private tutors. Mr. FitzGerald was a Civil servant for about twenty years, coring which he filled a respensible position in the Public Works Department. He became an associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1889, and having retired from the Government service, joined Mr. Clere in 1895. The firm of Clere and Richmond have designed and erected a large number of the prominent buildings of Wellington. It is estimated that thier brick buildings alone have a gross frontage up to this date (1895) of more than 2000 feet. Among these may be mentioned the splendid edifice erected for the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department, which occupies a prominent position on Customhouse Quay, with frontages to Panama and Brandon Streets. It cost £30,000, and is undoubtedly Wellington's handsomest building. Its design, and the manner in which its erection was carried page 579 out, alike reflect the mgnest credit upon all concerned, but especially upon the architect, Mr. F. de J. Clere, Pictures of this masterpiece of Wellington building construction are given elsewhere in the Wellington volume of the Cyclopedia, but the technical description of it is inserted here as being more suitable to an article devoted to the architects. In the days gone by, the old Provincial Buildings, which occupied a part of the site, were considered exceptionally handsome, and, curiously enough, the fine hall which was used as the Provincial Council Chamber, has been preserved, though entirely excluded from the exterior view. A detailed description of the whole building appeared in the last Christmas number of New Zealand, Mail, as follows:—“One whole wing—the northern wing, of three stories—besides two rooms in the central portion of the buildings, is occupied by the Insurance Department, the other portions being tenanted by the district lands and survey offices, the registrar of births, etc., and by other tenants of suites of offices let to legal firms and other private occupiers. The offices occupy considerably more than one-half of the entire block, bounded on three sides by Featherston, Brandon, and Panama Streets, and on the fourth side facing Customhouse Quay, This last frontage, which is the principal one, is 160 feet long, and consists of the gabled ends of the north and south wings, and the main midd'e block itself. The height of the wings is 77 feet, and in addition to the eight windows, each wing has a boldly carved stone tympanum filling in the arch surrounding the topmost row of lights. In this carving are introduced four shields bearing the arms of the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin respectively. In the centre of the façade is the chief entrance, placed under the main tower, which rises, exclusive of its flagstaff, 116 feet above the pavement line. Over the entrance are carved the Boyal Arms and supporters, and above is a niche to hold a statue or group of figures. The north wing to the top of the parapet is 561/2 feet in height. In the centre the sky-line is broken by a gable rising 77 feet, and between this and each end is a further break produced by a pavilion roof surmounted by ornamental iron railing and flag-staff. The south wing is very similar to the north one. save that in place of the large centre gable there is on the top floor a semi-elliptical balcony supported as an oriel window and surmounted by a carved tympanum and canopy, the gable over which is finished with an iron finial representing the City of Wellington crest, a dolphin and mural crown. The roof, which is covered with Welsh slates, is broken by the gables and pavilions, and is further adorned by ventilating turrets which add to the picturesequeness of the exterior. Leading from the vestibule to the right is the public office, a lofty chamber, fitted with handsome walnut counter and other furniture, and having highly-decorated walls and ceilings. Beyond this room are the district manager's offices. Further on, passing the office of the local registrar of births, etc., the north wing is reached. This wing, on the ground floor, holds the rooms of the administrative chiefs. To the left of the main entrance is a large suite of offices let to a public company, while in the south wing are various suites of offices occupied by private firms. On the west side of the main corridor, which is 116 feet long, and lighted by windows all filled with stained glass, are placed the passenger elevator, the main staircase, and several offices, having in all a total floorage capacity of 3550 square feet, while beyond these again, after crossing a small courtyard or quadrangle, are the lavoratories. The planning of the first floor and top floor varies but slightly from that of the ground floor, the chief difference being in the heights, which are 16 feet and 14 feet respectively, while the main floor is 18 feet high. Perhaps the most attractive room in the building is that on the top floor of the north wing, accommodating the officers of the accountant's branch. It is well-lighted, 114 feet long by 25 feet wide, and the ceiling is carried well up into the roof, and is formed with ornamental arched principals and panels. The building generally is practically fireproof. Nearly all the internal divisions are of brick, and only in a few places, where minor walls were necessary, have lath and plaster partitions been constructed. Many of the floors are of solid concrete and rolled iron girders, and, where timber joists are employed, concrete has been placed between them. The large number of actual strong-rooms (with Milner's fire-proof doors) is a noticeable feature, the floor area of these being no less than 5500 square feet. The sanitary appliances all seem to be of the latest description, most of them having been specially imported for this building. The heating is by hot water, two of Keith's furnaces being employed in the process. The architect was Mr. F. de J. Clere, and the builders were Messrs. Carmichael and Son, who have constructed numerous buildings both here and in Christchurch. The tasteful carving of the pillar capitals and other sculptures was the work of Mr. Barrett, the well-known local sculptor; and the illuminations and other interior decorative paintings were done by Mr. Ballmuller, an Austrian decorator, who has studied artistic designing in various parts of the world.” The offices of the Harbour Board, and the projected wharf offices for the same body, are from plans by Messrs. Clere and Richmond, who also erected the warehouses of Messrs. Sharland and Company (Limited), George Thomas and Company, and Bannatyne and Company; they designed and erected the Phœnix Chambers in Lambton Quay, and many other business premises, the offices and works of the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate (Limited) on the reclaimed land, and the new wards of the hospital. About twenty of the churches in the Wellington Provincial District were built from plans by this well-known firm. Of private residences they have planned and supervised the erection of a large page 580 page 581 number, among which may be noted those of the Hon. Robert Pharazyn (Wellington), Mr. Arkwright (Marton), Mr. Montgomery (Waipukurau), Mr. Bidwell (of Featherston), and Mr. Elder (Waikanae). Mr. Clere has acted as Diocesan architect since 1883, and this year is visiting Europe with a view to seeing not only the old sacred edifices, but also the latest development of church and secular buildings. Messrs. Clere and FitzGerald's training and experience, together with the character they have gained in business circles, make the firm one of the strongest in the Colony, and the foundations upon which it is built specially solid and independent.