THE CATHEDRAL

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9488, 10 August 1891, Page 2

THE CATHEDRAL

COMPLETION OP THE SPIRE. The Union Jack floating from the Cathedral spire on August 5 announced the completion of tbe work cf restoration, so far aa the masonry is concerned, Tho top brick was laid shortly after eight o’clock hy the Right Rev the Bishop or Christchurch, at the request of the contractor. His Lordship went up the spire in a chair drawn up by ropes. Mr Stocks, the contractor for the" work, Mr Anderson, the steeplekeeper, one of the Bishop’s tons, and two of the workmen were on the scaffold on top. Tho top brick, an octagonal slab, about oix inches thick, was hoisted above the place whereon it was to rest. Mr Stocks handed a silver trowel to the Bishop, who lowered tho brick to its place on a setting of cement, finished off the work, and then hoisted the flag which was displayed in honour of the event. His Lordship afterwards descended in the, same manner as he had gone up. As the brick was laid at a comparatively early hour, few people saw the proceedings, which were all over before nine o’clock. The trowel used by his Lordship was made by Messrs Coates and Co.: it was of silver, handsomely chased, with a fluted, ivory handle, aud having on the blade the inscription—- “ Presented by W. Stocks (the contractor) to Bishop Julius, on the occasion of hia laying the top brick of the Christchurch Cathedral spire, August 5,189 L” All that remains to be dona is to put the copper finial and cross, to repair the minor injuries which the spire has suffered, and to cover tbe masonry with a silicate dressing. It is expected that the whole will be completed, and the scaffolding taken down in about three weeks’ time. Two of the stone linials of the pinnacles have already been replaced. The cross and finial, which together will bo rather more than eleven feet in height, are at the establishment of Mr Duckmanton, coppersmith. They will be heavily gilt, and it is expected they will be pub up in about a week's time. Messrs Wheeler and Son, and Mr E. George, took photographs of tbe proceedings.