The Express.
London, England, 1856-07-19 00:00:00

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC OFFICES.

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This day has been loaned the report of the select
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public departments is the neighbonebood of Downing.
street. The committee are if opinion that it is most delin
able for the public service, both se regards economy and
efficiency, in the transaction of business, that there should
be • ooneentrstion of the public offices, and that such
Concentration should be effected in the immediate
vicinity of Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament.
It appears by the evidence that the boom now cocupied
as aloft for the public service (and which are held on lease
represent a total of 22,0001. per annum, and that the MOUI
uttunesodstion would be afforded by public buildings three
stories in height, and occupying an area of 171,638 gun
feet, exclusive of open spaces. But if the business of the
Admiralty, now conducted at Somerset Rouse, should be
removed to Whitehall, en additional space of 42,600 square
feet will be required for that purpose ; and looking to the
continual ice eeeee which appears to take place in the bug.
nese transacted by the public offices, of which some
remarkable examples may be found in the evi-
dence, it may be regarded u a wise economy
to make some provision for additional buildings which
may possibly be required within a limited period.
The commute have taken evidence u to the lam for which
the property comprised in the area bounded by the back of
Richmond-terrace, the north (root of the Irish Office and
Downing-street on the north ; New Palace-yard and Great
George-street on the south ; t • River Thames on the east,
and Bt. James's-park on the west, can be obtained. That
spoon includes, with the buildings in Downing-street.
825,276 Keane feet, one-half of which it is calculated matt
be devoted to open spaces, and the other half to new build-
lags. Of this area, 171,638 ignite feet will be required for
the offices before slinded to; 42,600 square feet
for the accommodation of the Admiralty business now
conducted at S merest House, and 151,535 square lest foe
the other offices enumerated in the schedule appended to
the evidence, leaving for additional buildings likely to be
required 46,864 set..are feet. In this space of 825,275 square
feet has been included a portion of ground, amounting
to about 70,000 square fart, which will probably be
required for aprroaches to Westminetet-bridge, and for
throwing open Westminster Hall to these approaches by
taking down the south side of Bridge•streer. For this
opus the sum of 250,0001. has been included in the fore-
ping estimate. If, there(.-r•, parliament shall approve
this appropriation of the specs referred to, the sum re-
quired for the purchase of the ground for the pub-
lic ofßc,s above meat'oned will he reduced to
1,260,0001. To this sum of 1,250,0001. must be
added the cost of erec•ing the pr pond buildiegs,
which has been stated at 'boat 1,000,0001.; on the other
bead, must be deducted, of course, • capital value ours.
spending to the rental of the houses above referred to; viz.,
22,0001. • year ; and it moat be bans in mind that the
porton of Somerut-housi now occupied by the Admi-
ralty will be set free for other purposes. Au oppor-
tunity will also be afforded, without incurring any
additional tiptoe., to make a great op clog from
Whitehall to Westminster Abbey, by erecting the
new buildings on each aide of such thoroughfare.

METROPOLIS TURNPIKE ROADS.

This morning was issued the following report of
the selset committee appointed to consider the expediency
of removing this toll•gatos now maintained by the Commis-
sioners of Metropolis Rood', and the means by which Inch
roads shall be kept in repair in nee the tolls shell be abo-
lished :

" That this committee, impreued with the Inconvenience
of the eai•tencs of tolhga.es in the populous district, of
the metro! olis, and of the importance of providing, if pm.
Utile, some mode of remedying th.s inconvinience, are
tireless unwilling, at this lota period of the session,
and considering the impossibility of being We to c implete
the hearing of the evidence which has been offered to them
on behalf of the various parties interested, including the
parishes through which the metropolitan roads pus, have
come is the determination of reporting the evidenc3 which
ham been already given, and recommending the re appoint-
ment of the committee nest If 84 ton."