NEW ARTS BUILDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18563, 22 November 1923, Page 14

NEW ARTS BUILDING.

PROGRESS OF) OPERATIONS;

HIGH GRADE OF STONE

ONE HUNDRED MEN EMPLOYED.

Quietly, but expeditiously, the construction of the Auckland Arts Building, in ftrinces Street, is being proceeded with, and .it is anticipated that in about six months the central tower will be completed to its full height of 150 ft. In the meantime, of course, work on the main structure will be fully maintained. About 41,000 cubic feet of Mount Somers stone has already been received for this edifice. That fact alone serves to indicate how immense is the amount of material that ■will be needed. Concrete, stone, cement, steel, and wood all play their parts in this fine building, and although the bulk of the material is of New Zealand origin, certain parts of the needed material have been obtained from Britain. Those responsible for the work speak enthusiastically of the line quality of the Mount Somers stone. Indeed, of the hist few cargoes, Mr. J Keast, the clerk of works, says it is almost as hard as marble, and singularly free from defect. A few months ago the contractors, the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., were not able to obtain as many stonemasons as the job called for. That difficulty has now been largely overcome by the'installing of another machine for moulding the stone. This piece of mechanism, which can do the work of between six and eight, men, is in full operation at the firm's city yard. On the site of the, new building the stone cutters are employed up to 11 p.m. each day. It is only eight months since the first of the Mount. Somers stone was set. and the amount of work already completed reflects credit upon all who nave been engaged on the work, particularly when due account is taken of the shortage of masons. During that period the cloisters have been built, and it is confidently expected that before Christmas all the stonework will be up to the sill level of the ground floor. Steel Window Frames. The wooden framework for the concreting of the four tourelles. or buttresses, for the central structure, is nearly finished. From the floor of the tourelles the central portion of the tower will rise about 80ft. Up to the top of the tourelles the tower will be completely stone-faced; above that level it will be of concrete, with pressed cement finishing. This cement facing will be tinted to match, as near as possible, the white,,stonework. Steel frames and sashes for the windows will be used throughout the main Arte building. The rapidity with which the order for these steel fitments was fulfilled

speaks well for English manufacture and promptness in despatch. These steel frames were ordered from Wolverhampton, about four or five months ago, and the whole consignment has come safely to hand. The articles are fully up to sample, and of the highest grade. One of those responsible for the building operations said yesterday that he had never 'seen better window fittings. The complete consignment of frames and 'sashes weighs several tons. Twenty-one ounce best English glass will be used for the ordinary windows, and this glass is already on the site. In the fanlights above the cloisters prism-glass will be fitted. Although the new building is essentially of non-inflammable material, of necessity a good deal of timber will be. needed for interior work. To this end stacks of kauri, rimu, and totara have been drying for the last six months, or more, thus assuring that once the carpenters get to work on the interior, they will be using only fully seasoned timber. The Clubhouse. Work in connection with the clubhouse was postponed for a time, but operations have been resumed, and a few days hence the stonemasons will again bo setting stone. The sashes and frames for the clubhouse windows will be of wood and this joinery is well in hand at the'' contractors' factory. The clubhouse will call for a good deal of timber in the construction of lockers and other internal arrangements. '..;.- . The steel roof trusses for the Arts Building are not far from completion. These are-being constructed by the contractors on the site, and the expectation is that in about six months time the roof trusses will bo in position. The roof will be of tiles, dark red in tone, and these aro now being manufactured at T/iumanmui by Winstone, Ltd. The grade of tile to be used is spoken of as "equal to the best Marseilles." , t About 100 men are now engaged on the vinous phases of wori, of whom 35 are stonemasons. Early in January, it is expected a good number of plasterers will begin operations. Day by day the work is steadily progressing, and although the general public may not realise how large a part organisation plays in such operations it is but a truism to say that the expedition being evidenced is largely due to the foresight and systematic methods ot those in charge of the work. The general foreman for the buildings, Mr A , J. Bierrei is as anxious as anyone to have i the work finished well inside the contract i time, and the progress which has been i made during the last few months is in no I small measure due to tie efficient way in 1 which he has conducted his part of the .