THE AGRICULTURAL HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10755, 20 March 1897, Page 2

THE AGRICULTURAL HALL.

I The new> Agricultural Hall in Crawford ' street, a detailed description of which appeared ; in onr columns soms time ago, is now well en towards completion, with the exception of tfag main hall, and it is expected that the building \ will be quite finished in June in time for the . annual winter show. Some delay has beea caused ;- owing to the largs if-jn girders for the main | hall not being to band as soon as was antici- [ pated; but cow that the heavy irou work has ; been placed in position the contractor will be : r.ble to make rapid progress with the work. I The buildiug, which has a.frontage to Craw- : ford street of loOffc, is already esea to be an , I imposing-looking structure, and when eora- | pleted it will be a decided ornament to the | city. The main ball, being provided with I ample .stage accommodation, is likely to be • ; largely utilised for eatertaiameats, for which .' it should be admirably adapted. The stage, it | may be statsd, will be 25ft in depbh, with an ■ opening wbare the drop scene comes down of I 33ft. At the onttT enge of the proscenium ! the width will b* 37ft; and tbe platform \ as a whole will bs 50ft wide. The front; of the ■ stage and the pr^sceDiuoi i« to be built in the ; composite order of architecture, with a pediment ■ isvfl? the central yroseniuni, adorned With agri- : cultural symbols. A contract has beea entered 1 !j;to with Messrs Siemeus and Co., of Mcl- ; bol .—: c. for lighting the several portions of the { building with electricity. The power will be \ obtained from a 22-horse power gas engine, ■ which can be driven at any time.' Storage cells I are also to be pjovided ao that the electricity S can be accumulated when required; and in tbe ' event of any performance taking place it will | not be necessary to use the eegiue. Tha ■ architect (Mr James Ilislop) is about to call { for tenders for the seating of the ha!!, so that it ! will be seen tbat the directors sre making i every effort to push the building on towards | completion.