Suburban Residences.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 11

Suburban Residences.

THE CLIFFS, THE RESIDENCE OP B. B CARGILL, ESQ.

On tho apex of the bluff terminating the , Green Island plateau, and facing the Ocean Beach and Forbury stands the residence o E. B. Cargill, Esq., which for situation and picturesque scenery is not equalled by any residence in the colony. In consequence of the exposed position Mr Cargill judiciously resolved tipon building his house of concrete — a material not yet come into general use, though highly adapted for structures requiring solidity and strength. Under the superintendence of Mr Petre, its designer and architect, all that art and science could accomplish was brought to bear in its construction, and a mansion hau been completed as firm and solid as if chiseled 'out of the granite rock — destined^ if no vandalism intervene, to stand entire for 1 ages. Of Italian design, modified to adapt it j to the situation, the exterior appearance is i agreeable in every respect. In the northern or ! front aspect the main building is supported by two wings, the right being more prominent in front, with windows square above and of semicircular shape beneath, well proportioned and suitable to its size and appearance, A covered verandah with semicircular windows extends along tho front. Beneath the balcony on tho eastern side, tha verandah, supported by columns of solid concrete, is open. The balcony flush with the right wing, surmounted by a balustrade, tastefully designed, extends along the northern and eastern side, and forms a most agreeable promenade in fine weather. The southern part, containing large square windows, looks towards the ocean. Through tha courtesy of Mrs Cargill we were shown over the interior of the building, the apartments of which for comfort and elegance rival mansions of great pretensions in the Home country. It is almost needless to state that from the position in society of the owner everything that could contribute to adornment and taste haa been concentrated within its precincts, and of which we can only give a very superficial sketch. Entering the main building we ascend by .concrete stairs to the verandah, beneath which is built on the right a conservatory containing pots of rare plants of every hue and -nolour, then into a vestibule or ante-hall, which liko forms a gallery of choice and rare pictures, the greater portion of which have been selected by the owner on his visits to England and the Continent. In this collection the most interesting portrait, copies of which grace. Ijhe walls of many old identities' houses, is that of the venerable Captain Cargill, the pioneer and founderof this settlement, who nearly forty yean ago relinquished the comforts and pleasures enjoyed in, the Home Country, after an honourable career in Her Majesty's service, to settle in an infant colony, and to encounter the discomforts and hardships inoident to a wilderness, with few resources, as this province then was. Before his lamented death he had the gratification , of beholding, this .province attain a healthy adolescence, and, had he lived to this day, he, would have seen his frequent predictions amply fulfilled— Otago .great and prosperous, settlement going, on apace, and the province pervaded , by a network ,o£ railways. On the right, contiguous, to the venerable father, there is an interesting portrait of the son, the present owner, as, he appeared in boyhood, exhibiting the promise of a healthy manhood, , The next most interesting is that of a most handsome lady, with an intellectual and pleasing countenance, evidently some member of the family. There is a charming picture of Port Chalmers hi its primitive day», painted from the harbour, containing a delineation of >the infant town, withi two of tho pioneers steamers forming the froht> view, and seyeral othor craft discharging cargoes at tha old wooden pier. Anticipating from extorn4l appearances that tho interior would more than correspond in excellence, we were not disappointed. Tho dining-room is tastefully and elegantly furnished, with select paintings adorning its walls. Tho drawing-room is replete with everything that contributes to convenience and splendour— richly carved ottomans and chairs, walnut sideboards beautifully carved, one of Broad wood's costly pianos^ large mirrors, reflecting their elegance, with other articles of vertu — while the walls are decorated with pictures that could not fail to please the most fastidious connoiseur. Nor is the lady's sitting-room less interesting, provided as it is with everything which ministers to comfort and tasto. Splendid paintings and drawings, principally of New Zealand scenery— one a beautiful view of the Cliffs, with their snowwaves striking against them, painted by a lady acquaintance; the other a perfect gem of Corregio's, a Madonna holding a child in her left arm. The library, well supplied with books iby the most eminent authors, is so ! constructed that when the company is larger than usual the dividing wall can be readily raised by means of pullies, and the apartment added to the drawing-room. Ascending the spiral staircase, the opening of a glass door leads to the balcony, the floor of which is formed of concrete. From it there is one of the most magnificent prospects that can be seen in any part of the colony. Towards the north is obtained a birds'eye view of Dunedin, its houses seen < promiscuously at the distance, Mount Cargill in the back-ground dotted with houses ascending towards the summit. Then the wooded valley of theLeith interspersed with clearances, Flagstaff forming an interesting background. Comprised in the panoramic views also are the hill suburbs of Maori Hill and Mornington with their patches of blue gum and other trees commingled, giving them a rural aspect. And on the flat, in full view, are the townships of Caversham,, South Dunedin, Kensington, and St. Kilda, irregular in their formation, with the passing tramcars, bearing their living freight to disport on the Ocean Beach, inhaling its invigorating breeze. Southward from this, elevated 300 feet above the level of the sea, the view is not less magnificent.^ Before you the mysterious main, ever in, motion, with the horizon in tho far distance, reminding the spectator vividly of tho memorable stanzas of tho talented though eccentric author of Child* Harold— " Roll on thou deep and dark blue ocean, toll. Time writes no wrinkle on thy azure brow :

Such as creation's dawn beheld, thou rollout now." But there is another view to be taken. When a southern gale arises the billows comq rolling in, and strike with relentless impetuosity against tho cliffs beneath the mansion, involving the most terriffic diapason in their roar ; the sound of ,the angry waters entering into an adjacent cave contributing to the loud sounding tur» moil.

External to the building, although in a comparatively primitive state, the art of the horticulturist has been brought to bear. A border of plants and variegated flowers environs the building, and surrounding it is a plantation for their protection. Altogether, a visit to this picturesquely-situated mansion is a pleasure to enjoyed by tho many who partake of fch,9 lib. w&l hospitality of the owner.