ON MOUNT COOK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 133, 3 December 1930, Page 13

ON MOUNT COOK

THE CARILLON TOWER

TENDERS TO BE CALLED

GAOL DEMOLITION

Tho first meeting of the permanent Board of Trustees of tho National Art Gallery and Dominion* Museum was held in Parliament Buildings yesterday, and important advances were made in tho decisions to call for tenders for the erection of tho bell towci< and for the demolition of the old Mount Cook gaol. ' In the absence of the ActingrPrime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Eansom, the chair was taken in the morning by his fleputy, Sir Apirana Ngata, and in the afternoon (when Sir Apirana had to attend a meeting of Cabinet) by tho Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup. There were also present- Sir Harold Beauchamp,' Hon. T., S. Wcston, Messrs. Gr. Shirtcliffe, H. D. Bennett, W. E. Oliver, and A. C. Mitchell. Messrs. Gummer and Ford, architects, of Auckland, ■ whose design for tho buildings has been accepted, were in attendance, and-submitted detailed plans. Deep regret was expressed by the chairman and members at the death of the secretary pro tern., Mr. H. M. Gore, whoso services to tho advancement of art in the city were- so well known. In his stead an officer of the Internal Affairs Department was appointed to take notes. Mr. G. P. Newton, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, was also present. PLANS TOR CAMPANILE. Messrs. Gummer and Ford exhibited blue prints 'of the proposed carillon tower (the first work to be gone on with). These provide for a massive square campanile, 146 ft high from the ground to the tip of the cupola surmounting the tower. The tower will be of reinforced concrete, with panels in the centre of each face, of terracotta tiles of ornamental design. Halfway up provision is made for an exterior railed balcony running round the tower, from which some wonderful views of Wellington city and harbour "should be available. Higher up still the walls of the tower will be provided with movable louvered openings for the emission of the music of tho bolls. Provision is made in one comer of the tower for an electric lift of sufficient power .to raise, two or three people; to the clavier room. Primarily the elevator is for the convenience of the carilloneur, as it is a weary business climbing some 200 steps, but the lift may be made available to persons wishing to enjoy the panorama from the balcony. The estimates for the cost of the campanile showed that only £5000 over and above th© sum of £.15,000 already provided by the Government would be required to finish the campanile. It will be recalled that the arrangement agreed to by the temporary Board of Trustees was to provide tho tower in steel and concrete, which would be covered by .the £15,000 available, leaving the finishing work to be done at a later date after the bolls were installed. It was decided to call for tenders allowing the trustees tho option a' a later stage to decide in favour of the finished work. At the request of the Carillon Society the architects made provision in the plan for the' installation of a passenger lift to go 'up amongst the bells should such an expenditure be warranted in the future. It is not included in the present'scheme. DEMOLITION OF OLD GAOL. The board also , decided to call for tenders for the demolition of the old red brick gaol building on Mount Cook. It is hoped that,tenders will close in a couple of weeks/enabling a decision to be made and the work of demolition commenced after the Christmas-New Tear holidays. The trustees did not stipulate how the work is to be done; that is left for the contractor to decide. The demolition of the old gaol is a necesfeaTy step before the ground can be prepared for the foundation of the Art Gallery and Museum. The campanile will be set well forward from the main building, and there need not, therefore, be any delay in flic commencement of its construction when a tender has been accepted. Although the meeting commenced in tho forenoon, it was found necessary to have an afternoon session before the work could be, disposed of. A subcommittee consisting of Messrs. Troup, Shirtcliffo, and Bennett and Sir Harold Beauchamp was appointed to go into Various matters. Mr. Troup submitted an official statement from the City Treasurer of the j funds in hand and promised. j According to latest advices, the I carillon was packed and ready to be shipped to New Zealand by a boat leaving London on 4th December. The transport of the carillon, complete with its steel-work and gear, is being carried out by the Overseas Shipping Com- j mittee free, while aU cartage in "Wellington will likewise %o effected by the Wellington Carriers' Association. The bells will thus be in Wellington next month.