THE FORESTERS' HALL, PORT CHALMERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4406, 3 April 1876, Page 3

THE FORESTERS' HALL, PORT CHALMERS.

We have from time to time reported the progress made with the erection of this Hall, and now that it is finished we have much, pleasure, in attesting to its perfectness as a handsome and ornamental addition to the architectural features of the Port. The Hall was built undefr the supervision of Mr Maunders, architect, of Duneclin—by Mr Bauchop, of the Port, whose contract for the work hail been accepted. The foundation stone was laid on 9th "November last, and hence it Mts been neta-ly'five months in the buildinar. The material used in its construction ,te Port Chalmers stone for the sides' and ends, with galvanised iron roofing. It is 72ft. < in length, 33ft. wide, 26ft. high to the ridge, and 10ft. walls. The hall itself is 69ft. long, by 30ft. wide. The architectural details have been carried out very faithfully, and the building in its entirety reflects the greatest credit on the designer anJ the contractor who has so ably given effect to his plans. The hall has a decorated Italian fac.xde, with handsome entrance lobby sft. by 10ft. The interior of the hall has a dado lining 4ft. Gin. high, of stained and polished panelling; above that the, walls are plastered to the ceiling, and topped with a handsome coinice all around. The ceiling is of matched and beaded white pine, stained and polished, and from it depends three suulights of ornamental design. The decorating, paint ing-, and glazing was entrusted to and very well executed by Mr J. B. Taylor, of the Port, whilst Mr Cowan, of Dunedin, supplied and fixed the gas fittings. According to the original design two ante-rooms were to Lave been built at the upper end of the Hall, but thii plan was departed from in order to give the Hall itself as ample dimensions as pos sible. The alteration wiis decidedly judicious, and has resulted in a room certainly the largest in Port Chalmers, and only to be exceeded by one or two in Dunadin. A raised platform 11 ft. deep extends across the upper end of the Hall, and is partitioned off from the auditorium by green curtains. There is ample space on the platform for imnrovish g temporary retiring rooms at the sides, leaving plenty of space in the centre for performers; and hence the Hall, as ii, stands, will- servei admirably'lor concerts, &c. - But the Court purposes building comjnSrtious ante-rooms at the back of the building far Court and other purposes, and if this idea? is carried out the utility of the building will be vastly enhanced.' The lighting and ventilation of the building are perfect; then there are three large frosted glass windows on each side and two in the end facing, the street, whilst Tobin's system of ventilation—upon the vacuum prin^ ciple, introduced by Mr Saunders in Dunedin T-has: been applied to the Hall, with /good effect. "' '" ' ' '"■; :". ■;..■:•■ ]■■'■. ■■, ,■■■■ , .;; :