THE ROYAL RESIDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 29

THE ROYAL RESIDENCE.

Fernhill Club, which will be the residence of the Duke and Duchess of York during their stay in Dunedin, was built by the late M." John Jones in the late sixties, and occupied by the late Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to our city in '69. It contains over 30 room?, the most spacious bem* the two drawing rooms, each measuring about 27ft by 20ft, the dining room 40ft by 20ft, and the billiard room (one oE. the finest in the colony) about 4-Oft by 20ft, provided with two of Aicock's best tables. In preparation for j the approaching visit very extensive alteraj tions in painting, papering, and decoration j have been carried out, the whole of the furniture has been removed, the house is now being completely refurnished by Mews Scoullar and Chisholm. From the hall is6ft by 12ft) the drawing rooms open to right and left. The furnishing of these has been completed, and they present a tasteful and luxurious appearance. In the right-hand drawing room the carpet is a magnificent Axminsfcer, and there is a very fine Chesterfield safe upholstered in saddle bag 9, with easy chairs to match, while the couches, occasional chairs and. tables are most handsome pieces of furniture. The curtains are of chenille and guipure, and ihe walls are adorned by many fine watercolours of New Zealand and European scenes. The right-hand drawing room is similarly furnibhed, with the addition o an upright grand piano by Sanies in walnut and gold, a fine carved walnut o\ermantle, and, for the u&e of the Duchess of York, a writing table in kauri, stained and carved. The dining room has a magnificent Turkey carpet, the chair-, are walnut and morocco, and 'the curtains crimson chenille. The table, which is tee shaped, seats about 30 persons, but the partition between thi-s room and the second drawing room can be instantly removed and the two room* be converted into o magnificent banqueting hall, capable of accommodating t63 t 63 persons. Othei rooms on the giovuid floor are the billiard room (comerted into a bedroom for male servant"), sitting rooms for his Royal Highness the Duke of York and Lord Eanfurly UBft by 18ft). office for the Duke's piivate seeietary (18ft by 12it) with oak Cw-k by Cutler, and chairs in oak and moiocen; servants' dining room, butler's pantry, telephone room, kite i. en, etc.. etc. The three front rooms upstairs, which command magnificent views of the city and harbour, ha\e been turned into bedroom.;. The western room (26ft by fcGft), which has been prepared for her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, is papered pale green. The bedstead i.- of solid bras-, the sota a Chesterfield in French chintz, with chair to match, the carpet a very fiae seamless Persian square ; the cheval duchesse table, the wa>h«tand, and wardrobe are in walnut : and mottled kauri. The eastern room has been piepareJ for his Ro\al Highness the Duke of York. It is ; papered a almon colour, and the furnishings arc very much the same as in the Duchess's i room, the ware beine Bohque and the furniture on the Chippendale .-tylc. The centre room is to be used by the Duchess's maid, and along the corridor are ' the Duke's dressing room, the Duchess's sitting room : and opposite these the Duchess's dieting room, a loom for Hie Duke'« valet, and room« for Lady Ranfurly and Lady Mary Lygoi: all furnished in a s.tj le that reflects gieat credit on Messrs Scoullar and ( "nisholni. Tli^ lotal \alue of the furuiturc is .ibout .32000. riid of the p:Uiucs about £3000. j