DORNWELL'S NEW BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4813, 20 April 1877, Page 2

DORNWELL'S NEW BUILDINGS.

This new block of masonry in Darby-street, erected to the order of Mr. Albert Dornwel], deserves notice from the circumstance, not only that it is most substantial and solid ia itself, but that it covers a portion of the most valuable ground in the city with structures of a permanent character, and increases the available facilities for business. Ten years ago, the old gaol yard occupied the site of the new buildings. Five years a<r o , it was a scooped hollow, where poultry, -fruit,- and miscellanies of all kind were sold. The new buildings further ,dej serve notice from the fact that they are i not visible from Queen-street, and will, probably, soon be built in, and be, therefore, invisible from any of the thoroughfares. The completion of the new building -wa3 celebrated on Monday night by a dinner given by Mr. Dornwell to the architect, contractore, and workmen engaged, so that it is reasonable, to presume that the work has been done in a ; thoroughly satisfactory manner. The block of buildings- extends 100 feet to the rear from the western side of the old gaol by CO feet north and south. It fronts Elliottstreet on the west side, and is approached from Yictoria-street on the south side under the archway which contains the stage entrance of the Theatre lioyal. We have heard this: place called ".Dornwell's Lane," but whether it will retain that nomenclature it is, of cours'e, impossible to say. On the north side : of the block are stables, and coach and ; cart houses, constructed of very solid brickwork. It is proper to say that these stables were erected under a previous contract by Mr. Holland, formerly foreman to Messrs. Matthews and Kay, who had the contract for the whole of the market-square block fronting Queen-street. The new building comprises five shops fronting Darby-street; a most important 'cellarage area 90 feet by CO feet in the" basement, and a spacious hall over the shops, which it is proposed to appropriate for public entertainments. The idea at present is to make it a concert room. The length of this room is-65 feet, the breadth 28 feet, and the height 520 feet clear, with dressing rooms, lavatories, and other conveniences attached. Each shop ia 16 feet by 28 feet, the average height being 14 . feet, but one or two of them are higher by two feet. The cellarage fronting Darby-street it is intended to use as a " German bowling alley." This compartment is 90 feet long by 37 feet wide. The whole block is supported by foundations of masonry, with an average depth of 20. feet, the walls being two feet thick. In some cases these foundations are 25 feet down to the solid. Vaults of brickwork support the floors and timber joists. These foundations, we believe, were put in by Mr. Maguire under a separate contract. Each shop has a small store-room and conveniences attached. They are well lighted, the fronts being constructed upon the most improved method. The same may be said of the concert-room, which is lighted by eight windows,, each having a. framework ventilator working on a pivot. We have been assured by Mr. Dornwell that the character of the work as well as the arrangement of the building has given him entire satisfaction. The architect is Mr. H erapath; the contractor, as we have already stated, is Mr. J. J. Holland; the contractors for the woodwork are Messrs Pollard and Gill; the contractor for the plumbing, &c., is Mr. Chalmers; for plastering, Mr. Blaikie; and for painting, Mr. Stitt. The music hall is approached by a handsome stairs seven feet wide, enclosed in a space 16 feet by 28, the doors opening outward, a precaution against fire. These stairs have been excellently painted and polished by Mr. Stitt. The handrail is of polished kauri and the balustrades are nicely grained; the whole of the material is of the best heart of kauri. Mr. Dornwell has by his enterprise made to the valuable invested property of the city of Auckland a most important contribution.