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Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 10

Mr. Edmund Anscoinbe, F.N.Z.1.A., who has recently returned from an extensive tour abroad, embracing Egypt, Turkey, Greece, etc., and a comprehensive tour of the Continent, England, Canada, and the United States of America, has commenced the practice of his profession in this city. 'Mr. Anscombe has practised in Dunedin for the last 21 years, and for 20 years has been architect to the council of the University of Otago, which position he resigned in February last. He will be remembered as originator and sole architect for the N.Z. and S.S. International Exhibition held in Dunedin, 1925-26, in connection with which he was responsible also for importing and installing the modern amusement devices. His scheme for the Exhibition Art Gallery proved so successful that through the generosity of Mr. P. It. Sargood the gallery was presented to the city, and is now the permanent home of Dunedin’s art collection. As a whole, the Exhibition ranks as New Zealand’s most successful undertaking. Recent large works standing to Mr. Anscombe’s credit are the art galleries in Wanganui; in Dunedin, drapery establishments for Messrs. Herbert Haynes, Etd. (now the D.1.C.), Arthur Barnett, Ltd., and D.S.A., Ltd.; the Tudor Hall; new Dental School and new Medical School for the Otago University (the latter considered by visiting experts to be among the finest in Australasia); new publishing house for the “Evening Star” Co., Ltd. The new Empire Theatre, completed last September, has the largest seating capacity in the Dominion, and is the first atmospheric type, the decorative detail being in the Indian style. Modern building methods and economic planning and construction claimed Mr. Anscombe’s attention In Canada and the United States of America during his five years’ residence there before commencing practice in Dunedin (during which period he was actively engaged on the St. Louis World’s Fair and other works of magnitude) ; and again during his tour in 1922, and the latter part of 1928. The practice is being carried on in offices on the top floor of the N.Z. Employers’ Federation Building, 8 the Terrace. —P.B.A.