HASTINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7951, 16 January 1888, Page 3

HASTINGS.

(FROM OUR OWS CORRESPONDENT). anuary 14, 1888. It is so seldom that Houses are built here ■with any pretensions to architectural design that I ha«-e watched the erection of Mr Wellwood's new mansion with considerable interest. To say that the former house has risen " Like a phmnix from its oahes " would not adequately suit the case, as there is, I believe, no instance on record in which a cremated phoenix has ri'.en from its ashes double its original size. Besides, there is only one story to the phoenix, and there are two to the new house. Consequently the powers of the architects have hail scope which is not afforded by one storied buildings, or " boxes," in which the utmost that the ingenuity of the designer can do is to steer clear of utter commonness. In the present ease Messrs Cooper and Finch have availed themselves of their opportunities, and have produced a residence in which an imposing elevation and harmonious "lines" in the exterior are conibined with internal elegance and convenience. I think that ■when finished the house will be the handsomest in oar "borough. As seen from the road the house, bßcked by fine trees, is a conspicuous object, its lines being agreeably broken by a wing with a bay window and gable, tiood taste lias been shown in leaving the chimneys of honest red brick, undisugured with stucco (or mud), and the shingle roof in good keeping with the whole is a great, relief to eyes fatigued with the glare of hideous corrugated iron. The house contains 16 rooms, including drawing and sitting rooms, each 20ft x 1 Gf t and 12ft high, a sitting-room 16ft x 16ft, live large bedrooms upstairs, a large kitchen, nursery, &c. From the spacious . ball access is at present gained to the upper regions by a ladder, but ere long this will give space to a broad staircase. The builders, Messrs W. Coibettand Sons, are to be complimented on the thorough manner in which they have carried out their contract. Of the Borough Council Chambers now rapidly approaching completion I may say that the exterior of the one-storied structure is neat and nnpretonding and that its interior is commodious and wellarranged. If I may judge by a very handsome mottlod totara and rimu mantelpiece from Mr Tong's workshop, the fittings will be bold and elegant, the walls having white pine panels with rimu ' stiles and dado. The chief room is, of course, the Council Chamber, 45ft by 53ft, and 16ft high. At oue end will be a dais for his Worship the Mayor, at the other raised benches for the sovereign people, in the middle of the room the Council table with seats for the councillors and town clerk, and accommodation will Jao provided even for the reporters ! The smaller rooms are No. 1, the town clerk's office ; No. 2, the engineer's office ; and No. 3, a private room for the Mayor. Besides these there is a brickwork strongroom with double iron doors, made by Messrs liogle and Siramonds. Tho building will be lighted with gas. I must deplore, however, the choice of a dirty yellowish brown as the color for "picking the window sills, &c. I am told Tjhat this is to be the iinal coat, and that it was chosen because it "will stand for ever." More's the pity ! Had it been painted in water colour so as to run at the first shower the mischief from an aitistic point of view would not have been so great. It is hoped that the Council chamber will be ready in time for the next meeting of the Council to bo held therein. This being so our councillors are naturally anxious to be equal to the occasion ; as. it would never do for them to " roar you as it were a tucking dove " in so large a room. No, they will have to " aggravate their voices," attend to their articulation, study gesture, and mind their stops. If Professor Chainoy could he retained as teacher of elocution to the Council it would be well ; but as our present funds may not run to this I «ive a few hints. "Er er" should not occur more than once in every sentence. Draw a deep breath before a burst of invective. (The audience will draw their own deep breath when it is done.) Mind your " ('nckleology." Liquorice is good for tho voice. So are the scales, do, re, mi, fa. Demosthenes used to practice speaking with pebbles in his mouth. There are plenty of these aids to elocution in the Heretaunga road, so that every councillor may become a Demosthenes — to this extent. Only don't use too many at a time, as they would impede rather than assist articulation ; and take care not to swallow any, as we are well satisfied with our councillors, and can't afford to lo3e ono just now. The gentlemen of the "long robe" (who, by-thebye, don't wear it in Hastings) are likely to have a busy day next Friday, when two well-known residents, a lady and gentleman, will attend before the Resident Magistrate to explain how and why they allowed the heat of debate to culminate in an appeal to grins. The case excites considerable interest and a • full house " is expected.