CITY ARCHITECTURE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5363, 24 August 1904, Page 5

CITY ARCHITECTURE.

THO MISSIONS TO SEASO2N BtTJLDIN'G. To-morrow afternoon the Missions to Seamen building, erected on the comer of Stout and Whitmore streets, will bo formally opened by his Excellency the Governor. Tho erection ol this handsome structure is solely and entirely duo to the bounty of Mrs Willinans, widow of the lato Mr W. XI. Williams out of resxiect to her husband, whoso business was closely associated with the i.he building is two-storied, erected in brick, faced with cement, and though almost devoid of projectary ornamental tion, is yet of attractive design. The exterior walls arc flush-built to a -degree of plainness, but this is relieved by ii bigb gablod roof with a, covering o-l* red Manse. Iks tiles, and is surmounted }>>; bwo ornamental timet ventilators. XXie front elevation, facing Stout street, has two very largo leadlight windows of appropriate design, the beauty of which can only bo seen from tho interior. Both designs smack of tile sea, tho lower one depicting a hit of coast-hne capped with a lighthouse, with an antique sailing vessel in on oiling of shimmering blue. Ihe church window above is mneh larger and more striking, Tho sea is illustrated with an old-time shallop, bearing down under billowing sails, with a gorgeous sun settling beneath a horizon of ocean, the perspective and colouring of the scene are highly artistic. The picture has a border of cable, with cornices of huge dolphins intertwined with anchors. Both the designing and manufacture of those windows were executed on the premises of Mr 11. Martin, of Wellington.

The building has frontages to Stout to Whitmore street of 99ft, *l3lo fust floor consists of a social hall 53ft by 30ft, with lofty ooilgiving good acoustic properties. It is warmed by copper gas asbestos stoves ? ventilated in approved nlimnor, and is lighted by incandescent gas lamps. At the entrance of the hall are two sniali rooms—the missioneris office and the library—and at the other end is the tea-room. On either side of the main entrance is a breeze concrete staircase leading to the church above. The church is a commodious raftered apartment, 88ft by 39ft. A specialty has been made of the lighting of the church, which is provided by two largo and handsome gaseliers, pendant from [lie coiling. Every burner of each gasohor has a. pilot light, which ignites gas on the manipulation of a. switch similar to those Used with tiro electric light. The crowning glory of the room, however, is the niassivo leadiight window described above. The ©sits are ample and convenient from both floors. The building was erected, from th® designs of Messrs Crichton and McKay by Mr W. L. Thompson. The contract price for the building was £5247.