NEW CATHEDRAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 282, 28 November 1932, Page 8

NEW CATHEDRAL.

GRACEFUL EDIFICE. DEDICATION AT NELSON. PRIMATE TO ATTEND. The dedication of the beautiful and graceful new Nelson. Cathedral will take place on Saturday next, and the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, as well as other bishops, have intimated that it is their intention to attend the ceremony. The date was decided upon to give members of the Diocesan Synod,which meets at the end of November, the opportunity of being present. The building, which i« a little more than a fourth part completed, is situated on one of the most perfect sites in the world, on Church Hill, where, until three j months ago, the old cathedral stood. The style of the architecture is that of the first period of Early English Gothic, which is generally regarded as the most perfect period. It has been stated that in its simplicity the cathedral is sublime. The main entrance doors and aisles, roofs and vestibule, are examples of the splendid timber that New Zealand can produce, and the heart of rimu, of which doors, roofs, vestibule and gallery are made, is particularly handsome.. The baptistry windows are of stained glass and. very beautiful. An indication that "the building is modern in equipment is seen in the fact that a hot-water system has been installed and is working splendidly. Sponge rubber runners in nave and aisle passages and between piers and seats provide comfort for worshippers. The external length of the cathedral, when completed, will be 188 ft (Jin, the external width of nave at clerestory level 34ft 6in, and, including its aisles, 62ft. The greatest width of cathedral across the vestibule and porch is 110 ft; height of parapet of central tower, 124 ft 3in; spire above floor, 210 ft.

The foundation stone was laid by the former Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, on August 2, 1925 The'first services in the nave were held on July 31 last. The architect for the cathedral was Mr. Frank Peck, A.R.1.8.A., who is now deceased.

How long the work is to remain unfinished is a question that naturally arises in the minds of all those who have seen the cathedral. This will depend on the liberality of churchmen and others, but it is the opinion of the Dean of Nelson that it will not take long to be an accomplished afct. He said that most of the; glorious cathedrals of Christendom were the work of centuries. A great deal had been accomplished in seven years, which augured well for the completion in the near future of the beautiful edifice.