TE KORAHA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12534, 22 June 1901, Page 2

TE KORAHA.

THE ROYAL RESIDENCE. Tbs Royal Standard, at the present time waves proudly over one of the finest private residences in the colony. The Chief Magistrate of the City, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, has placed his residence at the disposal ot the heir to tihe British throne, his consort and ■suite, and during their in the -metropolis of the Canterbury Plains To Korailiia will he the homo of the Royal party. It -was in every way fitting that the Mayor—himself a- member of one ot the oldest and most respected families in the province—-should thus represent the hospitality of the city. No pains havebeen spared on Mr-Rhodes’s part- to facilitate tfie re-arrangement of his home to suite the Royal requirements, whilst Mrs Rhodes has personally supervised the renovation and the decorations of every room. To those who wish that our Royal visitors should see only the most pleasant side of cur city and suburbs it is regrettable that .the route to Te Ko-raha does not present a summer aspect. In spring or summer -Per. dalt-on has many beauty spots, but probably none more charming than the winding road along the banks of the Avon beyond the Carlton Mill. Weeping willows droop over a clear stream not yet tainted by the” city, poplars stand erect like sentinels, and their foliage of thick green leaves flutter with' every breeze, and the laden orchards, that form a conspicuous feature of. the residences along the route add to the attractiveness ot the S.cene._ But winter, stem winter, changes all this. Hawthorn hedges are ragged and miserable locking, whilst orchard trees are bare to nakedness. Yet all of beauty it not gone. Groups of well-grown bluegums, regardless ot weather, tower up, pines, flax trees and native shrubs bravely help to make a show, and a few beautifully grown laurel hedges remind us that. Nature has still resources in the winter month?. A short drive along the Carlton Mill Read, lately extended into a tine spacious avenue, and the rorite passes into a rather marrow' lane, in front of which are the gates of Te Koraha. On the righthand side is a lodge; -well-built, neat and pretty ; -while alongside is a sentry-box, in which a soldier keeps guard. The carriage drive, wide and spacious, is bordered on either side by native shrubs, including some splendid specimens of the cabbage tree, toi toi and flax; and back about one hundred- yards stands the present residence of Royalty. Situated on an ample acreage of land, and with well cultivated grounds, and numerous outbuildings, Te Koraha stands out conspicuous in the locality. English domestic Gothic is the particular style of architecture employed in its construction, but it has been built in two portions, thus disturbing fixity of design. The effect has, however, been to give a quaint and rambling appearance to the exterior, without disturbing necessary harmony of outline, and the result is most pleasing to the eye. Gables and oriel windows abound, arid a feature is a balcony on the east side, from which a magnificent view of the country can be obtained. The interior, now everything is completed, would come as a revelation to. the average person. Furniture of the finest possible description is used in all the rooms, and all that decorative art can, suggest has been, utilised- to render the apartments royal in every sense of the term. The objects have been realised to a remarkable degree, yet', through it all—so delicate is the feminine touch—stiffness and starchiness have not been allowed to obtrude themselves, and a pleasant homeliness is the feature most apparent to the visitor. Mrs Rhodes and her maids, for they have undertaken and carried out the whole of the interior arrangements, have achieved a result that must afford high gratification to them. Te Koraha has so many passages and hooks, turning here and there, in a most unexpected, yet delightful manner, as to render an interior description exceedingly difficult. From the entrance hall the visitor can pass either into the general drawing-room, into the equerry’s room, or straight along towards the main hall. If there is one room in the house upon which more evident attention and artistic taste has been bestowed than another it is surely the drawing-room. The wall paper is yellow, and the colour arrangement followed out has been yellow and blue. First catching the eye is a magnificent flax bush, which, placed in a stand five feet high, reaches to the ceiling. Raupo and toi-toi are also made use of; palms of the rarest, violets in full bloom are there, whilst staghorn moss ana maiden hair fern mingle with, the larger plants, and in a recess stand two pots of richly flowering chrysanthemums, quite marvellous iir their bloom. Amongst the numerous -articles that strike the eye but few can be mentioned. A Fijian screen, standing twelve feet high, which, when unfolded, would probably reafrh across the room, is distinctly unique. A Broadwqod Grand 1 Piano is artistically draped, with exquisite Indian embroidery. On leaving the drawing-room and entering the main hall, one is naturally attracted by a life-like portrait of Mrs Rhodes, painted by Edward Hughes. Passing along the right hand side, the next apartment is that known as the equerry's writing-room, which has been furnished and arranged in a thoroughly practical manner. Adjacent to it is the Duchess’s drawingroom., which must at once be proclaimed a model of its kind. In this the colours are in shades of terra-cotta. The furniture for this room has been specially designed 'and is particularly fine. It includes a mirror, Bft x 6ft, framed in walnut, in front of which stands a tall pedestal in, ebony, surmounted by a handsome vase, of Satsuma ware, A Chesterfield and Sheraton writingtable and Sheraton occasional chairs, help to complete the furniture,, all of which is beautifully, upholstered in rich tapestries The draperies are terra-cotta verona velvet and the curtains Ecru Swiss. The view from the Duchess’s drawing-room, looking out as it does upon- the front lawn, is very pleasant.

Keeping straighten, the Duke’s sittingroom and library at the south-west corner is next seen. The dividing wall between the two rooms has a door and an arch in the centre, which latter has been cleverly designed so as to form part and parcel of the book-cases, which contain Mr Rhodes’s library. The rooms in which the original furniture is still used are admirably-fitted for the purpose they have been requisitioned for.

Sir Arthur Biggs will occupy the next apartment, a bedroom, which is arranged in shades of green. A walnut suite, French bedstead, hung with* green and electric muslins, are the features of ah admirably furnished room.

The dining-room, the last on tie west side, which is 38ft x 20ft, the colours are in shades of terracotta, metallic green and salmon pink. The furniture is solid walnut, and is of the English renaissance style. The dining-table is 26ft x A magnificent sideboard handsomely carved and standing 7ft in height, attracts -tie eye- Two dinnerwaggons, two large carving-tables, and 32 dining-chairs and large mirrors are included in the furniture. The curtains are of Swiss lace and green chenille. Palms are distributed about tie room, and here floral decorations have been made ai special feature. All the resources of the florist have been thoroughly taxed-, with the result that mid-winter has been forced to supply blooms that rightly belong to more genial months. For each luncheon and dinner a different arrangement of flowers has. been secured. For to-day’s luncheon, scarlet geraniums are to be used, with a view to lightening up the dulness that is frequently a feature of our shortening days. At dinner, white cyclamens, eucharfet lilies, narcissus, epacris, mit-li smilax and maid&.-hair ferri, are to be the chosen flowers. For to-morrow midday, blue iris will be used 1 , and; in the evening roses. For Monday’s luncheon, water lilies will be the feature, and at dim ner another arrangement, not yet decided upon, will be made. w *qhe remainder of the Royal apartments

are on the second story. At the southwest corner is one of .the finest rooms in the house, that to be used as the Duchess’s bedroom. Almost an octagon, its formation is original and pretty, and a recess, which leads on to the balcony, is charmingly arranged. Pink and blue are the prevailing colours, and with these some beautiful effects have been produced. A walnut suite, luxurious Chesterfield, large easy chairs, screens of harmonising colours, are the principal articles of furniture. The curtains and draperies are tastefully arranged, whilst the floor, as an all the Royal apartments, is carpeted with Axminster carpets of beautiful quality. The Duchess’s dressing-room .adjoins. The rooms of his Excellency the Governor and- of his Royal Highness the Duke follow. In both instances the rooms have been furnished in exceptional style, and every detail shows evidence of taste and careful attention.

Particularly happy in its arrangement is Lady Ranfurly’s room, the prevailing colours being smoked blue and pale salmon pink. In this, the furniture is heavy and massive. Noticeable are a Russian couch in pole blue and pink satin, relieved with velvet, and a boudoir chair, beautifully covered. The overmantel is prettily draped in .silk and satin. The toilet services, which throughout the rooms are of Doulton ware, are in this room particularly handsome. Passing to the eastern side of the house, are the apartments of Lady Mary Lygon, tastefully arranged- in bright blue, and still further on are those allocated to the valets and maids -of the suite. - Captain Alexander occupies a, room on the lower floor., adjacent to the drawingroom. The other members of the Roval suite—the Prince of Tech, Lady Catherine Coke, the Hon Derek Keppel arid the Hon Mrs Derek Keppel—have had -placed at -their disposal the residence of Mr H. J. Beswick, which is not far from Te Koraha. Here, as at Mr Rhodes’s residence, every care has been taken to suitably furnish a pleasant home for the temporary occupants. Lord Wenlock, Admiral Beaumont, and three of his staff, and the remainder of the Royal party have -been received at the Christchurch Club, where -all arrangements have been made for their comfort. . At night time there will be no lack of light. Te Kor.aha is lit throughout with electric light, and for the present occasion incandescent lights have been placed all over the house to supplement the electric light and .take its place, should any accident cause*.' this to be necessary. Arc lamps have been placed at both entrances, and also along the drive, brilliantly illuminating the surroundings. NOTES. Messrs Collins and Harman were the architects for Te Koraha. Dr Levinge kindly lent a number, of his prize chrysanthemums to assist the decorations at Te Koraha. i Captain Garcia placed at the disposal of Mrs Rhodes a number of his valuable paintings for the decorations at Te Koraha during the stay of the Royal party. The floral decorations”-at Te Koraha were provided by Messrs Nairn- and Sons, who achieved wonders in the production of cut blooms at so unsuitable a time of year. The result is a fine tribute to the resources of the firm. The furniture required for the Royal apartments was supplied by Messrs Strange and Co., the value of the goods placed at the service of the Reception Committees totalling many thousands of pounds. The work was carried- out under the supervision of Mr T. G. Aschman.