NATIONAL MUSEUM

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1934, Page 11

NATIONAL MUSEUM

ROOFING IN PROGRESS

FINE FRONTAL CARVINGS

SPACIOUS INTERIOR

Tho rapidity with which modem buildings can bo erected is shown at the National Museum and Art Gallery, this walls of which' are up, all .the concrete having been, run into its boxing, and the copper roof of which is now going on.. The only additional concreting to1 bo dono is spmo paving. Tho interior layout of tho huge structure —difficult to realise_ while obstructed by the moulding boxing-I—can now be seen, and it is evident that not only will the capital city have a national memorial of impressive external appearance, but that the purposes of the building have been remarkably well catered for.

The interior finishing will bo • a lengthy job, but plastering is well on tho wiiy. The steel roof is nearly all in position, the woodwork of the roof is well started, ana a large portion of tho copper covering is in place. Tho stonemasons have more than half of tho stono for the front of the' building ready, and have begun keying it into position. The electricians and tho engineers who are attending to the heating have made good progress. The carpenters have commenced on the frame which will carry the wooden lining of the art galleries, which will later ".be covered with a neutral-tinted burlap against which the qualities of the picturos will stand but. i

Now that the steel roof is in position and portion of the roof is' on, it is possible to get -a better impression of the dimensions -and character of the various rooms and halls, and though the steel windows aro not,yet in, tho lighting scheme from the various wells shows its thoroughness,.and with a little imagination it is possible to visualise the effect of the shafts of light on stairways and landings when in their finished condition.' - FINE MAORI HALL. ■ Visitors will pass through the impressive main entrance hall, and, to reach the, museum, through the Maori Hall and up short flights of steps to tho main museum gallery floor, which oxtends for a width of some 46ft round the east, south, and west sides of the building. The Maori' Hall will be. an outstanding feature. Tho high roof gives an impression of spaciousness, and the walls, which arc 45ft to the break of the ceiling, will give ample space for the display of some of the larger Maori treasures. Broad staircases lead from the main entrance hall to the Art Gallery. Separate entrance may be provided to the New Zealand Academy for special occasions. "Art Gallery" is rather misleading, as there is ' really a ' series of galleries, each with appropriate lighting from above, and the art treasures will bo displayed in sections-de-voted to particular branches, and with regard 'to the dimensions of the canvases'. For tho most part the roof in these galleries will bo of glass, and 'tho lighting effect has been carefully studied. ' There is always a considerable amount of dust in the air in Wellington, and in order, toi keep the skylights free of dust sinks for the cleaners have been put in on the roof. The absence of open windows will preclude draughts, andif dust is found to penetrate to the galleries'it will be possible to trap it in the grating ventilation''Systern, which can be worked in conjunction with the heating system for ithis purpose. Though at present tho front of the building is of concrete its finished appearance will be most impressive, a^s it will be faced with., a reddish stone on which* the masons have been working for many months. Tho fitting! .of these stones needs great exactness, as they are keyed into tho front of the building by copper' keys, fitting into sockets moulded into the concrete, and as only an eighth of an inch is to be left between the stones for the special fitting there is no room for error. • '■' v Apart from the bold carvings whach will form part of tho architectural design of the facade, thero are a number of othprs symbolic of the purpose. of tho nuiscum. and art gallery. There is, for example, a fino Maori head, and New Zealand birds aro well represented, while tho arts, crafts,, and sciences aro all well typified. Thongh iho carvings arc not exactly heraldic, there is a boldness about them that is arresting, and they are -well designed, to be \apprecjated when seen, as most of them will be, at a considerable distance from tho eye. The masons' chisels have been busily carving the red Wil : sonite Putaruru stone into these carvings for some time, and the last piece but one is in hand. .The colour of,the gtono'and its durability suit the purpose well. ' J ' '