ALEXANDRA HALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 4240, 15 January 1883, Page 2

ALEXANDRA HALL.

The want of a building suitable for concerts and dramatic entertainments has been severely felt here since the Odd Fellows' Hall was burnt down some eighteen to twenty months since ; and although Mr. Courtney's auction-room has been more than once made use of, yet, notwithstanding its very central position, it never was a favorite resort for the public. The result has been that professionalicompanies have passed by New Plymouth without calling in, and the community have accordingly been deprived of the pleasure of witnessing their performances. With a view of remedying ttiis a Company was formed, and the public invited to assist in raising money to erect a building suitable for public entertainments, and in every way worthy of the importance of the town. A sufficient number of shares having been subscribed for, a premium was offered for the best design, which resulted in six being sent in, when, after a careful examination of their merits, the Directors accepted the plans prepared by Mr. Edmonds, and tenders for the erection of the building were at once called for. The lowest tenderer was a Mr. Gardener, of Opunake, whose price was £3,100, being some £400 lower than any other party ; and, Messrs. Berry and Newman being his sureties, his tender was accepted. Mr. Gardener, however, not being successful in his undertaking, the sureties (Messrs. Berry and Newman), had to take over his contract, and. it will be acknowledged, we think, when the public see the interior of the hall on Wednesday night, that they have carried out their work in a thoroughly tradesmen-like manner, the hall being a credit both to the architect and the builders. The section of land originally purchased for the site of the Hall was adjoining Mr. Ross' stables. When, however, it was arranged to make the new street from Devonstreet to the Railway Station by cutting through Mount Eliot, the Hall Company made an exchange of land, and the building was erected where it now stands. These alterations entailed the loss of some time, or the Hall would have been finished by Christmas ; but it was impossible to get the wcrk done by that time, hence the delay in the opening of it. The alteration in the site did not, however, necessitate any material change in the plans, and the building aB it is now erected stands on a block of land having a frontage of sixty-two feet to Devon-street, by a depth of 110 feet. The design of the hall is in the Italian style, the front elevation, although not unnecessarily ornamented, being pleasing to the eye, the whole forming a handsome addition to the buildings in the town. The front portion of the ground floor is occupied by three shops, the dimensions of two of them being 26 feet wide, by a depth of 16 feet ; and the other 20 feet by 18 feet, with a height of 14 feet. There are two entrances, each ten feet wide, one leading to the dress cire'e, and the other to the stalls and gallery. When the side street has been made the entrance to the stalls will be from it, but until then the public have to go through the large supper room. The ticket box is situated at the rear of the oaitre shop, being 15 feet by 8 feet, and will enable one person to undertake the duties of ticket issue for all parts of the house. The main hall is sixty-five feet long by forty feet deep, but the gallery being over the shops it may be said to have eighteen feet additional added to it. The stalls are immediately in front of the stage, the dress circle being at the back of them. The seats of the latter are raised on an incline, and are upholstered in cretonne, with spring bottoms and backs. The orchestra is 20 feet by 5 feet, and is so built that the musicians will form no obstruction to a view of the stage. The height of the interior of the hall, from the floor to the ceiling, is 28 feet, and from the floor of the gallery to the ceiling 14 feet. The size of the proscenium is 24 feet Avide by 20 feet in height. The stage is 48 feet wide by 30 feet deep, and access to it — until the side street is made — is by way of the supper room. At the back of the stage are two dressing-rooms, each about 12 feet square. The decorations of the hall are very_ elegant. The walls on either side are sectioned off by fluted columns of polished kauri, dividing the windows from the panelling, the latter consisting of distempered paper of a delicate pink, and surrounded by a scroll border picked out with gold. In the panels are placed the pictures of bronze statues. The balustrade of tho gallery is a very elegant piece of work, and a great ornament to the room. In shape it is two OG's connected by a half circle in the centre. It is painted white, with painted flowers on the panelling. The proscenium is of a chaste yet rich design, a medallion of Shakespeare's head forming the centre over the stage, the arch being filled up with a scroll bearing the words, " AH the world's a stage." The ceiling is arched, and painted a pure white. It is perforated for ventilation, and is SO constructed that the heated air is drawn through a funnel. Speaking of ventilation, we may mention that the building is perfect in this respect. There are pipes let into each column, thus allowing a current of air to pass in from below, so as to carry off the heated air from the roof. The hall is lighted principally by a large sunlight of thirty burners, hung from, the roof; and several bracket lights jetting out from tho side columns. Adjoining the main hall ia a large supper room (56 feet by 25 feet), which is also suitable for societies' meetings, &c. On the upper story over the shop, as we have stated, is the gallery, and. this is gained by means of a handsome staircase which leads to a corridor 16 feet by 10 feet. At the right hand side is another large room 25 feet by 16 feet, so that there is any amount of accommodation for whatever purpose that may be required. Every credit is due to the builders (Messrs. Berry and Newman), who has been ably assisted by Mr. Taylor, of Wellington, their working foreman, for the manner the work has been completed, ,and we regret much to hear that they are likely to be losers by the job. The decorations and painting were entrusted to Messrs. Okey and Son, who, with their efficient staff, have left nothing to be .desired. The gas-fittings were put in by Mr. Arthur, the Manager of the Gas Works. The scenery, as we mentioned the other day, was painted by, Mr. Cowen, the subject of the drop being the " Disembarkation of Cleopatra on the Nile." The scenes consist of a street, an interior, and a forest. The upholstering has been carried out successfully by Mr. F. W. Kovell, who has given every satisfaction. Having in view an accident happening by fire, every precaution has been taken to givo means of egress on all sides, and doors opening outwards have been provided. When the water is laid on hydrants will be placed in different parts of the building, thus making it possible to saturate the whole interior in a very short time. Tho higheßt compliment wo can pay to the Architect, Mr. Edmonds, is that the building will bo a lasting monument to his talent, and aa ornament to •tho town. The Philharmonic Society will open the Hall on Wednesday next, with the oratorio of " Elijah," and on account of its attractiveness, and the opening of the n*w hall combined, we shall expect .to- see the building crowded in all parts.

The leaves of parsley eaten with a little vinegar after partaking of onions, will prevent the offensive breath that the latter impart. _ Tho yellow stain made by sewing machine oil can bo removed if, before washing in soap suds, the spots bo carefully rubbed with a bit o£ cloth wet with ammonia?