CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7169, 3 October 1888, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL.

ITS RESTORATION.

The illustration given above gives a general idea of the plan proposed for the restoration of the Cathedral spire. The plan has been prepared by Mr B. W. Mountfort, the resident architect, and Mr E. Dobson, to whom the question of restoration was submitted by the Cathedral Chapter. As will be seen, the restored portion under this plan will be hollow from the top of the present tower to the summit, and it will be built in Mount Somers stone, this being harder than the stone of which the portion destroyed was built. In general appearance the spire will closely resemble the former one, and the height will be the same. It is intended, also, to carry the brickwork which lines the interior up to a greater height than before, so as to give strength to the base, whilst above lightness, combined with sufficient strength, is the prevailing idea of the plan. Commencing with the cross this will be of copper foliated, and being hollow it will not be above half the weight of theformeriron cross which was solid. Under the cross is a gun metal bearing, through which passes an iron rod fastened to the cross. At tached to this rod by an iron chain is a weight hanging down into the lower part of the tower, and affording a counterpoise. This will allow of the cross being suffi 4 ciently stable without rigidity. The former one, it will be remembered, was braced into the stonework, and this to a large extent accounts, according to the opinion of experts, for the damage done by the late shock. The plan now adopted will obviate this danger, and is one which has been carried out, to some extent, in the same manner with regard to the spire of Chichester Cathedral. This brief description will enable the illustration given to be understood. As already intimated, a Committee, consisting of Rev. Canon Stanford and Messrs Harm an and Maude, has been appointed by the Chapter to arrange for the necessary funds to carry out the work, and the public will be asked to subscribe towards this very desirable object.