The Wellington Town Hall

Southland Times, Issue 19471, 26 November 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Wellington Town Hall

The fences and hoardings nave now been cleared away from this structure, and the residents of Wellington re able to form same idea of the appearance of the principal monument of their municipality. The buiilding consists of a basement, ground floor and first and second floors'. The main auditorium (the hall proper) rises from the ground floor right to the roof, or the height of three storeys. The No. 2 auditorium (also a concert hall or reception room) rises from the second floor to the roof, a height of two stor" oys. The City Council chamber, or meeting room <of tho Council, also runs up •the height of two storeys. Except where these three halls run into two or more storeys, the floor from the basement to

the top (four in all) are connected by J v staircase and divided into numerous apartments. There is accommodation, public and official, equal to all possible demands for years U> come. In external appearance the structure has a massive and commanding effect, especially -on the Cuba and Victoria street sitles^ where the entrances, ore approached by raised porticos. The architecture is of classic style, Italian order, with Corinthian columns three feet in diameter, supported on massive pedestals. The ground floor is five feet above the street level, the intervening space being built of Malmesbury blue stone, from Victoria. The steps leading to the porticos are of the same material. The exterior decorations include symbolic figures, minarets, ballusters, and 'jiher designs matching the foliage of the Corinthian^ columns. The central pediment is adorned with; a representation cf the figures ,of Liberty uniting Industry and Commerce. Above the pediment Is the City Council's coat-of-arms— the lion and moa. The heiglht of the building fiom pavement to parapet is 00ft, and the tower rises 163 ft. from the ground to the base of the flagstaff, and 23ft. further to the tip of the flttgptaff. The diameter of the clock face is lift. The architecture and ornamentation of the tower is excellent, but it has already been disfigured by tho black smoke which plagues the people of Wellington and renders all their buildings dingy. The main auditorium is 150 ft. long, 75 feet wide and 48ft. high- The body of the hall and the dress circle will seat 3000 people comfortably. From the platform or stage overlooking tho body of the hall terraces of seats rise to the organ recess behind, capable of accommodating a large choir. The platform has a depth of about 14ft. from back to front. It is intended, when occasion requires, to add a temporary staging, carrying it a further 10ft. into tho auditorium - The recess is 14ft. in depth from back to front, and it is anticipated that, the organ will extend 6ft. beyond the recess, or 20ft. in all. Decorative " Wunderlich " zinc work has been used for the ceiling and tho front of the dress circle. It is of special designs, v o riously panelled and enriched. The dress circle, built of wood, is separated by iron columns, and rests on steel girders. Tho outlets from the building in case of fire are considered adequate- The body of the auditorium and the dress circle have each six exits, either on to the encircling 10ft. corridors or on to a fire escape. It is maintained that tho corridors are ample to take all the people away. There are two fire escapes, one leading from the maKn auditorium into Mercer street yard and the other leading into an interior courtyard, which also serves as a lighting area. Jloak-rooms and conveniences for the public and retiring rooms for the performers have been provided in plenty. Elaborate electrical fittings are still to urrive, and there will bo a handsome Hght tn the dome over the double staircase on the Cuba street aide. Ventilation has been specially provided for.