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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5573, 19 September 1889, Page 2

UNKNOWN

Dr.xr.in.N innor.s state that every days work now makes a visible step towards the completion of the buildings. The interior of the dome is decorated with modelled wood work and a coat of varnish laid on all round ; the gas fittings are boing supplied to the avenues — the larger of these avenues, by the way, is 1,125 ft in length : the central annexes are being rooted and floored ; the roofing is on the concert hall, the offices are- practically finished ; and indeed, the whole thing is rapidly becoming "shipshape and Bristol fashion, " as the sailor's phrase IDOL'S. Goods are coming to hand for the New South Wales Court, and the offices of the scaff that will represent the mother colony are already partly up. Some 1,500 packages have arrived by the Lindas, including a quantity of minerals. The set of offices on the opposite side of the main entrance have been devoted to various useful ends. First on the left is n cloak room where there will be 1000 numbered pigeon holes. Here an assistant will take cloaks and wraps, put a check on them, give the owner another check, and receive a penny for her pains. Opposite this room will be the Customs den, where malefactors who offend against the tariff laws will be taken in and tortured. The Press room is a light airy room, and will be fitted with every convenience for the members of the Fourth Estate. The police room has been placed immediately opposite the Press room ; thus the police can watch the pressmen, and the knights of the quill keep their eagle eyes upon the " bobbies, " to the mutual content of everybody. Two commodious jury rooms are furnished, and beneath the eastern turret a large room where the commissioners, «.Y.c, can meet. Various additions and improvements have been found necessary as the Exhibition developed. The machinery is now to be placed in a new annex, extended the whole length from the side of the central portion of the New South Wales Court towards the concert hall. At the south end of the building the space formerly allotted to machinery is to be devoted to a model dairy in full working operation. Messrs Macfarlane's Ayrshire cows will be stalled in sheds in the enclosed space to be devoted to side shows, and the whole operation of making cream, butter, and cheese will be gone through by neat, handed Phyllises under the guidance of a Government expert. From the centre of the southern end of the building a new annex is to be erected, running between the art gallery and the concert hall, 233 ft. long, and connecting with the middle of the new machinery annex. This great space is to be devoted to a New Zealand Government Railway exhibit, which will be most interesting, and give a good idea of what our Railway Workshops can turn out. The exhibit includes a complete train. There will be an entrance to the diningrooms from this railway annex through a cloakroom, from which also access will be attainable to a little enclosed open-air space, which, under Mr Joubert's magic wand, is to be transformed into an arbour, with trees, tables, and chairs, wheretlio.se who like their cigar with their dessert or wine after dinner can enjoy that luxury without offending anyone's taste. Two private dining rooms are to be added to the large dining-hall, and a corridor will lead from the dining-rooms to the concert hall, so that those who attend concerts, balls, &c, will have no difficulty in obtaining refreshments. The concert hall, which Will accommodate 2500 without the least crowding and without placing the. seats too close to one another, will have a level floor, for dancing, &c, for two thirds of its length. The rear portion is to have a slope, the effect of which will be not only to enable the whole of the audience to get a view of what goes on, but to improve the sound. A horse-shoe gallery will complete the end of the hall. The British and Foreign annexes have been completed and measure 308 ft by 234 ft, the space containing 184 large bays. A large dining room, kitchen, tto. , and two ladies' rooms, and Lrcntlemen's room have been completed". The agricultural implements, &c, will occupy the space surrounding the art gallery and concert hall. Literally every inch of tlio 13 acres enclosed will be made good use of.