Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869:reg:2016:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2016 (pt 8/11)
Character Range: 545664–548507

made throughout of timber indicated in the schedules, unless otherwise specified and must be to the finishes specified. All timber must be first grade, thoroughly seasoned, free from heart, sapwood, shakes and knots and must be picked for grain. Where Queensland maple or silky oak is scheduled figured, all visible parts must be of quarter cut figured timber. Where 3 ply is specified, one face at least must be of the timber used in the main construction.

  In addition to Queensland maple and silky oak, other timbers used in the manufacture of furniture for Provisional Parliament House included blackwood (also used for wall panelling), cedar, silky oak and hoop pine. Coachwood and kauri pine were the preferred timbers for framework. The contract documents clearly established the requirements for the finish on each item. It was this detail which created the most difficulty in quality control between the suppliers. Where items were required to be full (shellac) polished, a standard reference had to be supplied and final polishing deferred until the furniture was installed in the building.
  Fewer problems were experienced with the waxed furniture, although the cedar had to be bleached first to obtain the desired colour. The finish for all the blackwood furniture in the Chambers was required to be a dull 'egg shell' gloss. The requirements for hide were as follows.

    96      Tender documents submitted to the Federal Capital Commission, Canberra, September 1926. CRS A292/1, item C2202 Part 1.
    97      Ibid.
    98      Memorandum, R Rowe, Assistant Furniture Officer to The Architect, Federal Capital Commission, 14 January 1927. CRS 6720/1 item E2/28/115
Item   requirement
Hide:  Where scheduled for Upholstery work, the best quality A.1 grade top grain, Australian cow hide is to be used, and in the colours specified to approval.

  Most of the leather was supplied by Howe Leather who experienced supply problems because of the large quantity required. Rexine, a synthetic upholstery fabric, was used on items of lesser significance. The contracts called for 'best English webbing' and 'best house canvas', and for all upholstered furniture to be stuffed with 'best curled horsehair'.

  Without exception, all of the firms experienced difficulties in meeting the deadlines and cited the delay in the finalisation of tender documents and in the supply of timber, hides and hardware as causes, and delivery of items slipped beyond March. Anthony Hordern and Sons experienced serious delays following a fire in its workshops. When the firm was unable to acquire sufficient blackwood for the job, it was forced to buy unseasoned wood and wait eight weeks for it to be kiln-dried. The full complement of furniture was in place for the opening of Parliament in the new building on 9 May 1927. The exception