MR A. J. WHITE'S NEW BUILDINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3358, 13 January 1879, Page 4

MR A. J. WHITE'S NEW BUILDINGS.

In our issue of Saturday, we gave Bomo particulars of tho corcmony of laying tho foundation stone of Mr A. J. White's now building, Tuam street, near the cornor of High street. Montion was omitted of tho fact that the rule, mallet and chastely designed silver troivel used on the occasion were supplied by Mr Ck T. White, jowellor, Colombo street. The trowel was presented by Mr A. J. White's employes, and the prettily mounted mallet and • ivory rule by tho builder. Although tho foundation stone was only laid on last Wednesday considerable progress has beon made with tho buildings, which when completed will form an important addition to the many now structures now in course of erection. Tho designs, which havo been -prepared by Mr A. W. Simpson, show that tho portion of tho buildings now in hand will Jiaro a frontage to Tuam street of 51ft, and a height from tho pavoment to the top of tho parapet of 51ft. Tho matorials to 1)0 used in tho front elevation are bluo 6tono from the Cms Peak quarry, white stone from Oamaru, and red brick, tho brick work being rubbed down and pointed, so as to obtain a high degree of finish. In tho composite order of architecture which has been adopted, Mr Simpson lms introduced somo pleasing features, and has made tho design as a whole of an ornate character. The two shop windows are centrally placed, and are made circularLeaded, tho Burrounding stono work being extended into lancet-shaped labels. Each window, six foot wide, will bo filled in with a single eliect of plato glass. To tho loft the building is recessed, and hero is placed the priratc entrance. On tho right is the public viitniKCOj a:id a covered way communicating with large warehouses at the rear. As tho building is to bo used entirely for , Iho display of furnituro &c, tho spaco ( «n each of tho three iloors is kept unLrulu'ii savo for a lino of gill.irs introduced to etrciii^tlien the building, and tlio3o pillars ■will i-o bo worked as to present a very ornamental nppearanco. On tho ground iloor the ■elenr ej.uou will bo 7G by 34ffc , an I access to life fne t find second floors will be gained by staircases at the rear, these being

fitted with ornamental railings so as to add materially to the general appearance of the interior. A eiutable lift will provide for tho raising or lowering of goods. The clear apace on the upper floors will be 76 by 48£fc. Reverting to the front elevation, there are four windows provided for the first floor, and ' theso have trefoiled arches. In the second floor, two-light foiled windows are introduced. The cornices or string courses breaking up the front are carved into geometrical patterns, and the capital of the pillars used at the windows being foliated, an enhanced effect is obtained. Tho front is further ornamented by placing recessed stone medallions in the brick spaces between the windows, and tho whole is suitably completed by a massive cornieo and parapet. It is Mr White's intention eventually to extend the building as far as the High street corner, the design having been prepared with this end in view. The contractor for the stone and brickwork is Mr Harrison, and the woodwork will be done under Mr White's personal superintendence.