THE ROYAL RESIDENCE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10998, 22 June 1901, Page 8

THE ROYAL RESIDENCE.

A DB6CIUPTION OP "TE KOB.AHA" AS IT IS. The little difficulty which at first existed in with the Royal reaktenee in C&ristchurch, was very ibappdly solved by his Worship the Mayor placing at the disposal of the Government bis charming residence f Te Koraha, which combines all the requisites- foMhe purpose. Prettily situate in one o! the /best suburbs of Cbristchurch, with ample grounds, and artistically-planned rooms, fitted with the latest and most up-to-date- requisites, no more suitable place tkan Tβ Koraha could possibly be found. I In fit it as a Royal residence, th.9 j onerous and responsible task of furnishing Ti-aa entnueted to Messrs Strange and Co., ;.a firm wfhose taste in this respect has been 1 shown on more than one important occasion. ■ The-artistic taste of the Mayoress, combined with excellent working oafc of the plans by Messrs Strange and Co., has resulted in a fchanniug combination . of colours in ithe/ varioua . rooms. . Their Royal Highnesses will find that, in connection tion with their -residence in Chrietchurch, everything has been done that could be thought of to -make the tsojourn pleasant. Indeed, ccnsidering that we are in so remote a portion of the Empire, it -is difficult to /imagine .that/anything mon\eovid b* done

to ensure the -comfort and convenience of. our Royal guests.

Naturally, there is considerable cariosity as to the arrangements, and, no doubt,' the details of the principal rooms given below will be read With interest.

The main tail is in soft tones of,terra ootta, a colour: which, by tbewav, prevails throughout the residence. Chesterfield couches, easy chairs, writing desks, etc, are placed throughout the spacious hall, giving it a particularly, homelike and cosy aspect. On the walls of the corridors hare been hung; a series of beautiful paintings, mostly by Gully, lent by Captain Garsia- There is also an excellent life-sue oil-painting of the Mayoress, by E. Hughes, R.A., who has just received a conunaad t from the Queen Consort to paint her-picture. The corridor is also hung with handsome curtains in royal red. On the floor; are a aupnber of bearskin and other .mats. ," ,fThe dining-room, whioa; was originallyused as the ball-roem, has been very artisti : cally and beautifully furnished. As elsewhere the prevailing tint is terra cotta, the effect of which is heightened by an admixture of moss green. The carpet is terra cotta, and the curtains moss green, under which ere Swiss lace curtains of an ecru shade. The room has seating accommodation for thirty-two. The dining-room is m walnut, upholstered in morocco. The table is 26ft long, by 4ft 6in. wide, and has been made in such a manner, that it can, if required, be converted into three. The eideboard, which is handsomely carved, is 7ft, and there are two sft 6i» dinner waggons, two carving tables, one 10ft x 2ft, and the other 6ft x 2ft, fitted with bevelled glass backs. . Over the mantels ore immense plates of silver mirror glass, 7ft x 6ft, in massive rimu frames,, matching the dado, etc., of the room. ..There are some beautiful oil paintings in the room, and the vases are also magnificent and rare. The electric table lamps will be fittecjt with different coloured shades for eacl*, eveiling. Thelighting is beautifully soft, and the roomie an exceedingly handsome, one. ; f The Duke'e library is a very handsome room. The prevailing colour is royal retj* and the furniture, which is of walnut, com-; prises couches, easy chairs, secretaire, etp. There is noticeable here a novel table, which is called a surprise stand. To outward appearances this is, an ordinary table. On lifting the top, however, a fully-appointed liqueur stand comes up. The Duchess's dining-room is one of the handsomest in the-house, and a restful tone pervades it. The colour of tke furnishings is terra cotta, in various shades. At one end of the room is placed a very large mirror, 10ft by 7ft, which reproduce* the whole" of the room, giving the effect of double the length. There is a most inviting Chesterfield couch, to look at which even is exceedingljr restful. In addition there is a very dainty Sheraton writing-table, and some quaintly-designed Sheraton chairs. A piano, of course, forms part of the furnishings, and, as b&fits the surroundings, there are a nuzaber of beautiful water colours, numbers of silken cushions, footstools, etc., all go to maka up a most charming tout ensemble—one which will, no doubt, appeal strongly to the artistic tastes of her Royal Highness. The general drawing-room, which is an exceeimgty handsome apartment, one of the most oharming in the house, is in pink and pale blua, which form a very artistic and narmomoua scheme of colour. There are a number of Chesterfield couches, dainty couchettes, and settees of the Chippendiale design ,handsomely inlaid with ivory. The chairs, which are of quaint designs in CMppendale and Sheraton, are richly covered. There is a handsome grand piano in the room. Th* curtains are of Verona velvet, m maroon tint. A number of brass standard lamps, carrying electric lights, are scattered about the room, with silk shades of contrasting tints, harmonising with the general tone of colour of the room. There are several cosy corners in the room. An immense mirror, 10ft x Bft, is pfaced at the side of the entrance, and the effect, when the room is lit up, is certainly very beautiful. Palms, and a profusion of hothouse blooms add to the general effect. * Lord Ranfurly's library is furnished in terra cotta, wine colour, and cream. There is a handsome Turkey carpet of the shades referred to, andi heavy chenille curtains to matck Easy chairs, upholstered in winecoloured velvet, are numerous, and there are alsco several four-fold screens in satin, A largp writing table in walnut, secretaire, etc., are also here. Some very fine oil paintings adorn the walls, and the room, as a whole, is exceedingly thandsome. On the staircase to the first floor are placed a Efumber of walnut pedestals surmounted by Doulton pots carrying palms, and some charming tapestry is a£sb on the wails. The first room on reaching the landing is that set apart as the Duchess's bedroom. The prevailing colour here is rose pink. In addition to tfbe ordinary bedroom suite, which is a very handbome one in walnut, relieved by burr walnut, there is a Chesterfield couch upholstered in pale blue and rose pink. There are two large easy chairs to match. The bedstead is of brass, of French pattern, with arms carrying delicate rose pink silk curtains, over which ie a fihny tissue of net. The wdndow curtains are Verona velvet, tfectric green in colour, relieved by white muslin elaborately frilled. The carpet is Axminster, of electric green, pale pink, and blue. The Doulton service is .most artistic. Tha wardrobes—three in number—are very handsome pieces of furniture. The .dtoora are of mirror plate-glass, and the carving is artistic. The woshstand has a Tennessee marble top of a dark ground refievsd by tiles the colour of the furnishing, and mirror plate back. The dressing table is in walnut, prettily carved, and the appointments' are all in silver.

The Duke's bedroom is furnished in salmon (pink and myrtle green; The window curtains are of myrtle green velvet, lined with pale green silk, and the bed curtains of sa£mon piofe silk. The furniture and appointments, as a whole, are similar in character to those already referred to in the description of the Duchess's room. Lady Ranfurly's bedroom is furnished in smoke blue and pale pink. The suite, in* this room is exceedingly handsome. The carpet is a rich Axminster of deep fawn, with salmon pink pattern. There is a 7ft in walnut, witKe large mirror plate doors, and in. the centre ie a carved, hat cupboard. The dressing table is in walnut, and there is also a Tennessee marble-topped washstand. The' luxurious Russian couoh and boudoir chair are upholstered in rich blue satin. The bed! curtains are smoke blue silk, and , those of tihe windows of smoke blue satin.

Lord Ranfurly's bedroom is in pale amber. There is a dainty Queen Anne bedrom. suite in walnut. The curtains are of old gold Verona velvet, lined with amber silk. Lady Mary Lygon's room is furnished in bright blue. The bedroom suite is in waE»ut, relieved with burr walnut, and the handsome dressing table has side glasses. The carpet is Azmineter, in whidb bright blue is the predominant colour, and the window curtains are of cream etriped material, lined with blue silk,hannoaising wilfch the furnishings of the room. Sir Arthur Bigge's room is furnished in different shades of green. The carpet is Axminster, in which green is the prevailing colour. The window curtains are of moss green plush, and the bed curtains of white Madras nmsfin-, with pale green pattern. The furniture is of walnut.

The staff room, which ia on the ground floor, is a fine room, beautifully furnished, opening out into the main hall. Captain Alexander's office is fitted with secretaire, desk, etc., and tbe latest style telephone is installed. The effios is cosily fuTuished, and everything is provided to make the onerous duties "of Captain Alexander as pleasant as possible. The (task of supervision and carrying out the wlKte- of the woit of furnishing the Royal re&rd«Dce was confided to Mr T. G.

Aschtnan, manager of the furniture department of >feesrs Strange and Co, who has carried it out very satisfactorily. The furnishing of the rooms at Mr Beswick's house, for Lady Kather.'ne Coke, Hon. Mrs ELeppel, Prince Alexander of Teck, and Hon. Derek Keppel. has also been carried out by Strange and Co., under Mr Aschfliaii's superintendence.