HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20516, 18 March 1930, Page 8

HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

PRESERVING THE PAST.

STUDENTS' FINE WORK.

MEASURED DRAWINGS MADE.

RELICS OF BISHOP SELWYN. u

Two senior students of the Auckland University College School of Architecture, Mr. A. J. Sedcole and Mr. C. Irwin Crookes, have performed a unique service to New Zealand art and history. Late last year they set themselves the task of visiting nearly all the historic buildings of the Anglican Church in the Auckland province, and making measured drawings of ihem as a permanent record for future generations. In tjieir researches the students travelled from the Bay of Islands in the north to To Awamutu in the south. The. work occupied nearly three months, including the whole of the long vacation. Its results are embodied in a large folio volume of 15 blue-prints which Archbishop Averill recently described with truth as one of the most valuable historical records in New Zealand. History apart, most of the buildings described in the folio are worthy of record for their real architectural worth. This is especially true of the " Selwyn " churches and houses, which make up the majority. It is now generally recognised bv architects and the public that these structures are admirable in almost every respect and a model which present and future architects cannot afford to ignore. , Three Clerical Architects. " Architecture was not the least- important of Bishop Selwyn's many duties," says Professor C. R. Knight, director of the school, in an introductory note to the volume. " The buildings he erected or inspired in the North Island of New Zealand are unique in oiu early architectural Built mostly for ecclesiastical purposes, they are remarkable for their charming sense of proportion and the clear understanding of the materials used. This folio is a decided acquisition to the literature of early New Zealand, as it permanently records the original designs of the most important of Bishop Selwyn's buildings." Professor Knight expresses the hope that when reconstruction becomes necessary the old buildings will not be needlessly destroyed. He commends the example set by the parishioners of Otahuhu not long-ago in removing their " Selwyn " church to another part of the in order that, it might continue a life of usefulness increased by historic associations. The authors in their brief preface say that much of what is commonly known as Selwyn architecture is due to two clerical architects of no mean ability, the Rev. Frederick Thatcher and the Rev. Mr. Blackett, who worked with Selwyn, but the last-named, " a man of great physical strength and spiritual power, seems to have impressed his strong character forcibly on all the work erected under his direction." Georgian Doorway of 1819.

Tho/survey begins with the oldest building in New Zealand, the Kemp house at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, built in 1819. This is a two-storeyed wooden dwelling erected by the Church Missionary Society. The front doorway, with its semi-circular fanlight gmd flanking windows, is the only piece of original Georgian " detail" in • this country. The fortress-like mission store, built closo by in 1833, is also depicted. Its walls are of local stone, with facings of what the two students consider to be Sydney freestone. Christ Church, Kussell, has been drawn in its present condition. It was practically reconstructed in the seventies, and is interesting chiefly for its gallery, semi-circular iron altar- ' rail., and remains of box-pews. Bishop / Selwyn comes into the record with St. Thomas' Church, Tamaki, which he built in 1844; All Saints', Howick, 1847; and St. Peter's, Onehunga, 1847-48. St. Thomas', which is now a ruin, was one of two early and unsuccessful experiments in stone. The other was the original St. Stephen's Chapel, Taurarua (Judge's Bay), built in 1843. In each case sea-salt in the mortar caused the downfall of tho walls. Selwyn learned by these failures, and all but one of his later stono buildings are still standing and in good order. , Old " Selwyn " Houses. Of the wooden " Selwyn " churches much might be written from the artistic point of view. All the best are repre- "" sented in,, Messrs. Sedcole and Crookes' . folio, and anyone who scans its pages may judge for himself the ingenuity, the fine sense' of design and craftsmanship shown in, even the smallest of them. Professor Knight's word " charming " is the only adjective that properly describes creations so little and so delightful to the discerning eye. The authors have also done full justice to two of the " Selwyn " houses in Parnell. Old Bishopscourt is shown as a well-conceived range of buildings, with its * attached chapel, library and bell-tower. The quaint little house known as " The T >«iiaary." and tho Melanesiao Mission buildings at Kohimarama have also been drawn with great care. Some not strictly " Selwyn " churches —those at Mangere Bridge, Northcote and Te AwamutU have been included. It is satisfactory to note that Messrs. Sedcole and Crookes found all tho " Selwyn " buildings but one well cared for and in good repair. The exception was St. Bride's Church, Mauku. The shingled roof of this was in very bad repair, having been patched with pieces of tin, and the light could be seen through it in places. St. Bride's stands upon a truly beautiful site—a little rounded knoll dotted with old pine trees. It is of great historic interest, for in the 'sixties it was loopholed. and strengthened externally with logs as a blockhouse when hostile Maoris threatened the settlers. The district is a .prosperous one, and for its ov»n credit should see that the church is repaired. The folio is an admirable example of architectural draughtsmanship. With the plans and elevations are delightful little perspective sketches of the buildings. The original tracings on linen will be preserved permanently in tho University College, strong-room, and it is expected that prints from them will be in demand for many years. One set was presented to Archbishop Averill last week, before his departure for England. The cojlege office has undertaken to accept orders for further sets at £4 4s apiece, and there is every reason to suppose that church authorities, architects and public libraries will take advantage of the opportunity to benefit, by the research which the work embodies.