CHRISTCHURCH AND THE GOTHIC.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH AND THE GOTHIC.

WELL-KNOWN REFRESHMENT HOUSE.

SIGN OF THE TAKAHE. After a strenuous period of tiring work in the hot city, nothing could be more pleasant than an hour's respite from the hurry and bustle of the madding crowd on tho Christchureh slopes of the Port Hills. Here, rest and relaxation, 0 f a, type all its ownj can bo attained with a minimum of exertion and next to no cost. Christchurch is indeed fortunate in having access to such an open space. ltighb next to tho tram terminus on tho Hills is tho Sign of the Takaho, a, refreshment house which has been made available to tho public by tho citizens of Christchureh. .For about, three years it has proved a godsend to tho weary toiler, and as a vantage point from which a viow of the city and surrounding districts can he obtained; it has no equal. Its quaint architectural beauty is particularly refreshing, and lends truth to the contention that for true appreciation of a glorious view, beautiful surroundings aro also essential. At tho present time the full beauty of tho building cannot bo appreciated because it is, as yet, incomplete. Extensive structural alterations and' additions are being made, but when the work is finished, tho Sign of the Takahe will bo unique amongst the many beautiful buildings of a city of splendid structures.

Tho extensions and alterations which are contemplated will considerably add to the value of the present building, both as a refreshment house and as an artistic feature. More than one of the readers of this column are already familiar with the present Sign of tho Takahe, with its quaint oldworld style of architecture, and fitting surroundings; its heavily-beamed ceiling, and rubble-stone walls hung with pictures which take one back to the jolly old days which are now gone; the antique furnishings and the glorious view which is to be had from the stone-flagged porch. But when the projected work is done, there will be a new old-world Sign of the Takahe, which will remind one of the timegreened Tudor-Gothic architecture of the ancient manors of England. Alterations Contemplated. To-day, in the present space used as a tea-room, the window-frames and sashes are of wood. These will be replaced by steel frames, with leaded lights and diamond quarries. The present porch will be altered in such a manner as to provide seating accommo- . dation on either side, instead of on one side only, as is at present the case. The doorway leading into the present tea-room will bo removed to centre of tho porch-way, and will be fashioned in Gothic style, flanked on either side by a diamond-quarried, narrow Gothic window. On the western side of the building a number of additions are already partly constructed. These, as is tho case with the remainder of the structure, are of random rubble-stone secured from the Port Hills themselves. An idea of the artistic effect of walls may be gained from those at present erected. The new- walls themselves aro some 18 inches thick, and are relieved by Gothic windows grouped in threes, the large central window being flunked on either side by its smaller facsimile in design. On the extreme western' aspect of the exterior wall is a massive buttress, which lends the whole an appearance of impressive solidarity. An artistic porch-way projects from the western side, giving entrance to the kitchen apartment. When completed it will be flagged by stone, and will be flanked on either side by Gothic leaded light windows, tho sills of which wiH be of cream and red stone. Tlio exterior door, which is being designed by Mr J. G. Collins, will be in the form of a perpendicular Gothic arch. The porch roof will be quite flat, the roof rafters (9in by 7in) projecting over stone corbells. On these corbells will rest a heavy timber with a 14in face. This will bear shields of heraldry, including the coats of arms of various English colleges, and the four New Universities. The heraldic shields will themselves be constructed of oak, fastened on plates of brass, which will extend for an inch and a-half right round thein. Each of the stone corbells will bo carved with quaint designs, and the ends of the five projecting ceiling rafters will be similarly treated. The interior of the porch itself will bo lighted through two Gothic windows, and will carry an Bin by 4in cornice right round below the roof. Tho roof itself on the inside will be panelled and stencilled in conventional designs. Two Tudor-Gothic doorways I will give access from the western porch, I one to the new tea-room, which will have a north-western aspect, and the other to the kitchen. It is intended to erect a stone shelter on the southwestern side of tho building. This will j be approached by an archway 10ft 6in in width, and will have seating accom- | modation right round the walls. A | similar structure will be erected -on the north-eastern side. Upstairs Portion. Iu addition to the alterations already described, the erection of a further storey above that already built is contemplated. Access to this first floor will be gained by a stone stairway, 4ft 6in wide, leading up from tho southwest side of the building. It will give direct access to a large tea-room 40ft by 20ft. In the south-west corner of this room will bo a Gothic window looking direct-to* out on vSugar-Loaf Hill> with a fine view of Morley's Hill. At the end of tho room, facing due west, a splendid view will be obtained of Cashmere Valley, right out south over tho plains towards Ashburton. This room will contain many architectural beauties, and will give access through a roomy doorway on to a balcony lo.l't Gin wide hy 40ft long. Here an unsurpassed view of the city ,and plains in every direction will be secured. Tie balcony will face directly on to CraVoft Hill on tho north-west of the building, and the front will contam four archway openings, the one on either end being glassed in to afford protection from the weather. The floor of the balcony will be decked with .'fin by l.Vin jarrah, caulked and pitched, A feature of the completed building \u)l be the carved stone-work on ihe liorth-weslcrn aspect. Right, above the foundation-stone v ill be a large figure j carved in stone of Mr AY". F. Massey. while similar -works of other New Zealand Prime Ministers will also figure on tho walls..