THE SALVATION ARMY'S NEW FORTRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9381, 22 March 1892, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE SALVATION ARMY'S NEW FORTRESS.

The flag-hoisting ceremony and dedication of the Salvation Army's new fortress tock place on the sth insfc., in the presence of a large nnmber of persons. Among the officers of the army present were Colonel Bailey (the chief commander of the forces in New Zealand), Major Rolfe (of the Southern Division), Major Robinson (of the Central Division), Adjutant and Mrs Hoare (junior secretaries for New Zealand), Captain Osborne (of Christchurch), and Captain Wilson (of Dunedin). Most of the officers of the Southern Division were also in attendance. After a few selections had been given by the band.

Colonel Bailey, who was mounted on a temporary platform which had been erected in front of the main entrance to the building, said they were met that afternoon not for ,the purpose of speechifying, but for hoisting the flag on the new building. It was about seven months since the foundation stone had been laid, and on that occasion he thought he stated it was worth while for the Dunedin corps to have waited for so many years for a building which would be a credit to the city and a glory to the Salvation Army. They had now got that building, and when they got inside they would sea that they never thought it would be so nice as it was. He would now ask Mrs Downie Stewart to hoist the flag. Mrs Downie Stewart having, amidst cheers, hoisted the flag to the top of the pole erected over the main, entrance, said: I hereby hoist this flag as a signal that the Salvation Army takes possession of this building in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the salvation of souls and for carrying on the work of the Army in harmony with the principles upon which it is established for the glory of God and the helping of mankind. Mr Lambert, architect, subsequently gave formal possession of the building to the Army. The doors were then thrown opeu and the public admitted. The proceedings that ensued were nothing of an exceptional character. A number of officers gave brief addresses, in which the religious and humorous elements were combined iv a manner characteristic of the followers of General Booth. The prevailing note was one of gladness, all the speakers expressing their high appreciation of the building, and their joy at being present at its opening. During intervals between the speeches several vocal selections were given, including a solo by Mrs Hoare; and the proceedings were not allowed to terminate without a collection being taken up in aid of the buildmg fund in addition to that taken at the door when visitors entered the hall.

DESCRIPTION OP THE BUILDING,

The new building in Dowling street opened on Saturday is built on a quarter-acre section. A retaining wall 37ft high, with lft 6in batter, has been erected on the back boundary, with return walls and buttresses, also secured by railway rails let into the solid rock, the space between being packed with excavated rock, enclosing an area of 66ft by 35ft. This portion is not utilised at present, but intended for future erections. The front elevation of the fortress is an original design in castellated Gothic of the Scottish baronial type. The width of frontage being 57ft, highest point 55ft, surmounted by a flagstaff, and the total length of the building is 128 ft, the height of walls above floor level 31ft. The foundations throughout are on the solid rock. There are 4ft 6in passages along the outside of the building, with doors from the street —the one on the right leading to the female soldiers' rooms, and that on Lhe left to the males'. The plinths and steps are of Port Chalmers stone. The front and a portion of each side is executed in Maori brand cement compo, except the window mullions, transoms, and carved bosses, which are of Oamaru stone. The crest and carving are artistically executed. The bold oriel window, cornice, turrets, and embattled parapets give good relief, the labels and bold mouldings giving it an ornate character and well balanced in its proportions. In the centre is the main entrance doer, Bft wide in two leaves, opening into a vestibule 10ft wide by 32ft long. On the right is the major's and secretary's

offices, 16ft by 13ft Gin, and 21ft 6in by 15ft 6iu with strong room. On the left is the officers' meeting room, 32ft by 21ft and 13ft Gin. By folding doors Bft wide the hall, which is 90ft by 54-ft, is reached. There is a slope of 2ft in

the floor. The seats are of a new, strong, and comfortable style, placed 2ft Bin apart. The sittings on the ground floor number 696. At the further end of the hall on the right side there is a room 23ft Gin by lift Gin, with fireplace ; also a cloak and retiring room for the female soldiers, and one of similar dimensions on the left side with conveniences for the males ; also a band room, 14ft 6in by 12ft, and a captain's room, 12ft Gin by 10ft. All these rooms are placed under the galleries. Returning again to the front : On either side is a staircase door, sft Gin wide, in two leaves. By easy going concrete stairs the first floor is reached, and from both landings through folding doors access is gained to the junior soldiers' room, 39ft by 33ft, and 16ft ceiling. This will be used for Sabbath school work and small meetings, and will accommodate 320 children, or about 260 adults. Centrally placed is a fireplace, with stone fender. The room is lit by an oriel window, with transbmes; the upper lights are filled in with ruby glass, with embossed lettering of "Faith," "Repentance," "Salvation," and "Holiness," with blue border under transomes. On either side is a mullioned window, Adjoining are two class rooms, also lit from the front. The stair landings and the gallery passages are on the same level, and access to the gallery on both sides is by folding doors, sft wide. The gallery is supported by iron columns, with foliated characteristic capitals. There are four rows of seats on the three sides curved at returns, and ascending other five seats in depth towards the back —in all accommodating 468. At the extreme end the gallery descends to the platform. On either side are curved seats forming the returns. These are intended for juniors. This gallery will be used exclusively by the soldiers, each sex occupying different sides. It will seat 226, giving a total seating space for 1390, full space allowance or nominally 1400 sittings. The windows are equally distributed, and the sashes are all counterbalanced so as to easily open or shut both sashes simultaneously by a simple contrivance. They are all furnished with deflecting boards to prevent draughts. The columns and front of the gallary are pricked out in the Army tints, as also the illuminated texts throughout. The ceilings are coffered and moulded with massive turned drops at the intersections ; five ventilating trunks of original construction run the entire length and form a portion of the coffering. These are all pricked out in the primary colours. Depending from these drops are the gasalisrs, of a novel pattern, with riplex burners, as also in the wall lights. The ighting has given general satisfaction. In ront of the gallery fresh air is admitted 12ft

above the floor, also through proper draughtless apertures between the windows above the gallery and elsewhere. On the roof seven exhaust cowls, 2ft in diameter, extract the vitiated air, while an ample amount of fresh air is admitted in without draught. The walls are finished in stone face, and lined in imitation ashler. The acooustioal properties have been well tested during these meetings by the numerous speakers and singers, and have elicited general commendation both from speakers and hearers. We understand the general details are original, and have been designed to meet tho special requirements, the architect being Mr T. S. Lambert, of this city, and the contract has been faithfully carried out by Messrs Annand and Johnston, builders, the contract amount being about L 3200.