THE CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 18 November 1930, Page 11

THE CATHEDRAL.

REMODELLING PROPOSALS. SIR GILES SCOTT'S ASSISTANCE. '"Going round some of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world I found that there are very few to compart; with Christ-church Cathedral lor site. It is in Hit! midst of the Ut-e ot" the City, but is not masked by it; it has a dominant view from nil sides, and is not hemmed in by enormous buildings as are some of those in the bigger cities, and t. sincerely hope we will never have sky-scrapers built round it. There it stands with its tall, graceful lines for all to see and t'dinire. f returned to Chiistchm-eb with a deep reeling of thankfulness for it."

After viewing some of the world's most famous ecclesiastical architecture as embodied in its Cathedrals, Bishop West-Watson has return',.'.! to Christchurcii to pay this glowing tribute to the uf the City's Cathedral. He did so while speaking to last night's annual meeting of the Cathedral Guild at the .Ti.llicoe Hall. One of the missions the bishop had to undertake while abroad was to interview the celebrated architect, Sir Giles Scott, whoso grandfather, Sir G. Gilbert Scott designed the Cathedral. From him he obtained much helpful criticism on proposals for remodelling the building, and perhaps extending it. These were also outlined by the Bishop. Dean Carrington Co-opted. Having co-opted Dean Carrington, who, the Bishop said, "knew the Cathedral inside and out," the two met tfie architect in his rooms, which reminded his Lordship of a College Court. Suggestions t'or alterations, which he had taken from Christchurch were submitted. One of them was to throw out a square chancel as was done in some of the English churches, but Sir Giles was of tV; opinion that the present design should remain unchanged. Extra Bays. 'I i(i principal project was to push the apse hack and to insert an extra bav t r two—twentj'-four feet was the lei gtl suggested. A three-fold window could then be placed on each side, thereby Jetting in a good deal of light whir li the organ now shuts out:.. The si: po of the old chancels could be used to buihl them i'p again. It was suggested that the altar should be pushed back and behind it a fine reredos built. Facing Bough Stones. Sir Giles agreed that the rough stones should be faced and covered with hangings which might make the acoustic qualities much better, for stone deflected sound. U would not be necessary to have the whole area decorated, for Sir Giles's idea was that the decorated parts should throw the unadorned areas into relief. Choir Boom and Sacristy. On one side of the building a choir room was proposed, and on the other a sacristy, with a robing room above. What they wanted was to have the effect of light and mystery in the chancel—something to which they could look up. The Bishop remarked that it had been his own idea to have some of the bare spaces covered with mosaic, but he was afraid Sir Giles would say that such de- i coration was sadly out of place in a building of Gothic architecture. Like- j Sir Giles was not in favour of j the tiles already in the building.

Valuable Help. ">Sir Giles would hear nothing of a fee," remarked his Lordsliip. He could not prepare drawings himself, but lie was only too ready to offer friendly criticism and said he would give his opinion on any plans which might he prepared if they were sent Home to h;ni. He prepared a small sketch which I am handing over to the Dean for safe keeping. I think this Guild might well send him a message oi appreciation. (Applause.) The Ideal. The Bisjhop added that he was doubtful whether "they could ever fulfil their seherpe for having u Chapter-House without overbuilding the present site. Ue wondered whether some building in the Squaro nearby might not 1,0 a< j" quired i'or the purpose. flic fliroculr ties were main*, but they should not lose sight of their ideal or forget that history showed that the Cathedral stood there to-day by an act of faith. loudspeakers. INSTALLATION IN CATHEDRAL SUGGESTED. To mark the jubilee ot the Cathedral, which falls in November next, the Cathedral Guild is casting round lor something worth while to do for the building itself which may be appropriate to the importance of the occasion. Throwing out several suggestions at last night's meeting of the Guild, Dean J. A. Julius mentioned that the installation of loud-speakers would be a commendable act, but the expense Wtis tjreut, and ho w&s not surtj tiicit it wppld just be fitting to the occasion. "What we Want to do is to make the building even more perfect than it is," counselled the Dean. The installation of' loud-speakers is badly needed.' The choir haven't heard a sermon lor rears-—that W**.V be an advantage, but I doubt it it, is good for tltem. The/ speakers would cost, over £S>IX), and if ivc could get (he Chapter to put them in, so much the better- ■' There are all kinds of smaller things we could apply for. Some think t,hat the Cathedral is so coid in vt inter that

w should clothe ail the ehoir in red cassocks to add a touch of warmth, am not quite sure that these things are adequate to mark our jubilee. We vant also to have social functions to ji.i'ke our people realise that the Cathedral is a Diocesan church, but not an intruder on parochialism.' -