4335

It's the building fronting on to Phillip Street, still there in all its glory, and extended south a couple more bays than shown on these plans. GoogleMapsStreetView - goo.gl/maps/wROuL

I seem to remember that these alterations to become court rooms etc happened. The 'Immigration Barracks' (now known as Hyde Park Barracks) in 1870 ...

Thought this rang a bell. See ...

Hmmm ... where's this? Hyde Park Barracks?

Yes! - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_Barracks,_Sydney. "From 1887 to 1979 law courts and government offices were based at the Barracks." Previous to these plans, from 1848-1886 it was "a place for the friendless female" - www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/friendlessfe...

" ... Shortly after 1 o'clock Mr. Clarke [the Minister for Justice] left his office, for the purpose of inspecting the new additions and alterations at the Hyde Park Barracks. The only portion of the work Which is now nearly completed is that connected with the new offices for the Examiner of Patents, the City Coroner, and the Inspector of Weights and Measures. These offices hare been constructed in the line of buildings adjoining the Immigration Depot, and formally known as the Sheds, and used as barracks for the unemployed some time ago. The change which has been wrought is very striking', and the work done is exceedingly creditable to those who have had it in hand. As one enters the premises the first offices to be seen are those which will be used tor tho Examiner of Patents. The first is the Examiner's prívate room, with a small waiting-room adjoining. Then there is a public room, and a room for exhibiting inventions adjoining those first mentioned. After the Patents Office will be the Coroner's Court room, and the various rooms for the jury, clerks, and the Coroner himself. These offices will, no doubt, bo found very convenient for their purpose ; and the Coroner's Court, which is provided with a dais for tho Coroner, and also jury and clerks' boxes, & c., already present an excellent appearance The offices east of the Coroner's private room are to be used by the Inspector of Weights and Measures. Mr. Clarke inspected tho whole of the premises in a very careful manner, and expressed himself well satisfied with the progress which has been made. The new structure now being built at the rear of the Immigration Depot for the Equity Court-room has been begun, and various alterations are now in process of being made in connection with the new offices of the Curator, Master in Lunacy, and other departments. Mr. Clarke hopes that the Coroner's Court and other offices thereto adjoining, will be ready for use by the beginning of next month, but it is hardly likely that the Equity Court and offices in the main building will be ready for occupation before the month of November. ... "

From SMH 18/8/1887 p.8, col.3 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13659113

that plan appears to be signed by James Barnet.

See also ...

The Government Architect, James Barnet, pauses his grand schemes, work on the Sydney GPO, court houses, post offices etc. to concentrate on a hot water system for the imbecile asylum in Newcastle !! I think the building is still there as part of the James Fletcher Hospital, much altered - journals.sfu.ca/hneh/index.php/hneh/article/viewFile/55/46 & www.theherald.com.au/story/456679/james-fletcher-hospital... Possibly the extension was to one of these distant buildings on Watt Street seen in this c.1882 photo -

Good newspaper article describing the place in vivid detail, and an insight into victorian attitudes to such places - SMH 27/8/1887 p.8 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13661080

A Ralph Snowball photo of the asylum, also dated 1888 (22/11/1888) And research on the place - governmenthousebarracks1804.wordpress.com/

"There were all types of faces and all types of children, but planted on the face of each was the hopeless seal of insanity -insanity of a quiet and idiotic character, though there were some few exceptions. In one or two cases the girls looked intelligent for a few moments, and then their faces again settled to a dull, stolid level of expressionless imbecility." They didn't pull any punches in them days. Newcastle. Asylum for Imbeciles and Idiots. trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13661080