THE SALVATION ARMY'S FORIRESS.

Evening Star, Issue 8769, 9 March 1892, Page 2

THE SALVATION ARMY'S FORIRESS.

The architect for this build'iDg in Dowling street was Mr T. S. Lambert, whose general details are original, and have been designed to meet the special requirements; and Messrs Annand and Johnston, builders, executed the contract at L 3.200. The front elevation of the fortress is an original design in castellated Gothic of the Scottish baronial type. The width of frontage 13 57ft, highest point 55ft, surmounted by a flagstaff, and the total length of the building is 128 ft, the height of walls above floor level 31ft, The foundations throughout are on tbe Bolid rock. There are 4ft 6in passages along the outside of tho buildiDg, with doors from the street—the one on the right leading to the female soldiers' rooms, and that on the left to the males'. Tho plinths and step 3 aro of Port Chalmers stono. In the centre is the main entrance door, Bft wide in two leaveß, opening into a vestibule 10ft wide by 32ft long. On the right is the major's and secretary's offices, 16ft by 13ft 6in, and 21ft 6in by 15ft 6in with strong room. On the left is tho officers' meeting room, 32ft by 21ft and 13ft 6in. By folding doors Bft wide the hall, which is 90ft by 54ft, is reached. There is a slope of 2ft in the floor. The seats are of a new, strong, and comfortable style, placed 2ft Bin apart. The sittings on the ground floor number 696. At the further end of the hall on the right side thore ia a room 23ft 6in by lift Gin, with fireplace; also a cloak and retiring room for tho female soldiers, and one of similar dimensions on tbe left side with conveniences for the males; also a band room, 14ft 6in by 12ft, and a captain's room, 12ft 6in by 10ft. All these rooms are placed nnder the galleries. Returning again to the front: On either side is a staircase door, sft 6in wide, in two leaves. By easy-going concrete stairs the first floor is reached, and from both landings, through folding doors, access is gained to the junior aoldiers' room, 39ft by 33ft, and 16ft ceiling. This will be used for Sabbath school work and email meetings, and will accommodate 320 children, or about 260 adults. The gallery is supported by iron columns, with foliated characteristic capitals. There are four rows of seats on the three sides curved at returns, and ascending other five seats in depth towards the back—in all accommodating 468. At the extreme end the gallery descends to tho platform. On either side are curved seats forming the returns. These are intendod for junior*. This gallery will be used exclusively by the soldiers, each sex occupying different sides. It will Beat 226, giving a total seating space for 1,390, full space allowance, or nominally 1,400 sittings. The windows are equally distributed, and tbe sashes are all counterbalanced so as to easily open or shut both sashes simultaneously by a simple contrivance, They are all furnished with deflecting boards to prevent draughts. Tho columns and front of the gallery are pricked out in the Army tints, as also the illuminated texts throughout. The ceilings are coffered and moulded with massive turned drops at the intersections; five ventilating trunks of original construction run the entire length, and form a portion of the o offering. These are all pricked out in the primary colors. Depending from these drops are the gasaliere, of a novel pattern, with triplex turners, as also in the wall lights. The acoustioal properties have been well tested during their meetings by the numerous speakers and singers, and have elioited general commendation both from speakers and hearers.