Penty, Francis, Architect and Sanitary Engineer, New Zealand Insurance Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone 933. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private Residence, Cambridge Terrace. Mr. Penty was born in Yorkshire in 1841, and was educated at private schools in York, where he studied for his profession, prior to becoming a pupil of Mr. J. E. Oates, of York and Halifax. On the completion of his articles in 1862, Mr. Penty was employed on the Liverpool Exchange works for five years, after which he went to Manchester. There he entered the office of one of the best architects in England, his employer being a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and vice-president of that institute. During the time that Mr. Penty stayed in this office, a period of seven years, the firm erected buildings, some of them costing upwards of £10,000. Mr. Penty then went to Windsor, and superintended a large job which occupied some fifteen months. Subsequently he joined the Royal Engineers, on the civil staff, and page 583 was engaged, under the Localisation of Forces Act, in the erection of new barracks. He then took charge of the architectural branch of the London and North Western Railway, the northern division being allotted to him, and this appointment he retained for twelve years. Mr. Penty settled permanently and established himself in business in Wellington in the year 1887. He has erected during the time be has been in the Empire City no less than 150 private houses, at a cost of £60,000. Amongst the buildings which he has erected may be mentioned the Convalescent Home in Oriental Bay; the warehouse and livery stables of Messrs. Townsend and Paul in Victoria Street, the fruit market in Harris Street, Mr. George Webb's premises in Tory Street, and the residence of Mr. J. C. Edwards, Brougham Street, a picture of which is given herewith. At the present time (1896), Mr Penty is erecting a handsome brick warehouse for the Wellington Woollen Company on Jervois Quay, and some brick shops in Willis Street. Of country buildings that have been erected by Mr. Penty, the large house of twenty rooms for Messrs. R. and J. F. Maunsell, of Te Nui, must not be omitted. Mr. Penty brought with him from England testimonials of a very high order, including one from Mr. Joseph Boult, F.R.I.B.A., surveyor to the Liverpool Exchange Company, and to the Northern Committee of the Fire Offices. He has also testimonials from Mr. Jonathan Parsons, superintendent of the new Exchange at Liverpool, which was constructed in 1871; from Messrs. Robert Neill, James Reiss, Thomas Worthington, F.R.I.B.A., and from Mr. S. B. Worthington, member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Manchester. During his residence in Wellington Mr. Penty has taken an active interest in public matters. For three years he was Councillor for the City, and particulars concerning him in that capacity are given under the heading of “Ex-Councillors.”