NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 482, 2 December 1869, Page 2

NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDINGS.

„■■■■■■■ ♦ ' We have had the advantage of seeing the plans of the original building, and can, therefore, judge of the difficulty the architect has beeu forced into in order to make use of the permanent as temporary, and the temporary as permanent. The clever adaptation shown in the present arrangements reflects upon him a great deal of credit, there being only one window in the building wliich will not be required when the whole structure is perfected. The original design included a perfect system of gaol cells, entirely separated from communication with the rest of the buildings, except by the prisoners' stairs, and those easily guarded and kept under inside supervision ; also a tower, in which the public were admitted into the gallery. These were on the east side. On the south side, the grand jurors and witnesses fnr the case trial were to have been accomraodate'dVt The present building consists of a large chamber, or court hall, with side offices attached. The present entrance on the east side, which, in the perfect building, will be devoted to the use of Counsel and officers of the court, leads into a temporary wooden lobby, on the left of which is the Counsels' retiring-room; this lobby opens into the hall, which forms the main pirt of the building. The walls are lofty, aud the room is well lighted by five dormer windows on the east side in the roof, there being a triangular opening on the west end. This arrangement, which throws all the light from above, avoids unpleasant cross lights so disturbing to comfort. The hall is 50 feet long, by 40 feet wide ; the side walls are 24 feet iv height, and 2 ft 6 ins thick; and the total height of the hall, from the floor to the apex of the roof is 46 feet. The walls are of grey tufa rubble work, well bonded with bond iron — a very important matter in this ear thquaky country. The jambs and lintels are of dressed stone of a lighter colour. There are four fireplaces, two at the back of the judge's dais, and one on each side of the hall; these will perform the office of ventilating shafts. On the left hand corner of the room, and on a level with the dais, is a door leading to the old chambers. It is proposed to have a covered passage joining the two buildings together. On the right side of tbe hall are three rooms — the one nearest the dais is the judge's retiringroom; the other two are to be devoted, on the original design, respectively to the male and female witnesses, but at present will be used by tbe grand jury. Between the judge's and witnesses' room is a staircase, leading up to rooms above these last mentioned, one of these is *■ to be devoted to the use of the petty jury, and the other two, at present, to the male and female witnes-es. Coming down stairs again, and passing under the public gallery — on the S.E corner of the building — we pass ioto the lobby, up which the public find their way into the gallery, but which will be appropriated, when the building is finished, entirely to the use of the prisoners. Here we have a better view of the construction of the roof. It may be described, generally, as a laminated arch roof. The principal rafters, six in number, are double bolted and clamped to the arch, trussed with collar braces, key post, and struts above the arch. The arch, which is formed of nine lamini, each an inch thick and nine inches wide, is supported upon stone corbels, about eight feet below the top of the walls. Touching the framing of tbe roof in four places, it is unusually rigid in appearance, aud not Uabie to alteration of shape, which many roofs of the kind suffer from. The roof on the middle is pierced by numerous ventilating holes, in anticipation of Governmental generosity allowing a louvre to be built, as intended by the architect. All the timber used in the building is baltic pine, stained and varnished. The gallery, which is at the east end of the

building, is capable of holding some 200 persons, and gives a good view of the judge and counsel, but hides, we think properly, the prisoners from the general gaze. On the whole, we are favourably impressed with the building, and can only hope that it may be some day finished. Mr Alexander Lean is tbe architect, and the contractors are Messrs Tait and Reese. The amount voted by the Council was £3000, exclusive of the value of the stone, which the Government had on band. This sum has not been expended by something over £100. Viewing the building from the outside, you see only one part as the designer wished it to be seen, i.e., perfected; therefore, it is difficult to judge of it as a work of art. The general character of the part which is finished is severe, and suited to the purpose for which it is intended. The openings are devoid of ornament, except that which depends upon contrast of light and shade, of which the fullest effect is produced; but you feel the want of the tower on the N.E. corner, and the entrance porch on the east.