The U.R.C. Boathouse.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7232, 3 August 1891, Page 2

The U.R.C. Boathouse.

The new boathouee, which the members of the Union Eowiug Club intend to Open with a smoke concert ne:rt week, is well adapted to its purpose ; it is, above all things, commodioup. The Club hos not erected a showy build mg, preferring comfort and convenience to display. Nevertheless, tho front, with its verandah and balcony, is effective. The building, which ocoupiea tho site of tho Club's old shed, is 70ft in length, 28ft in width, and 35ft in height, measuring to the ridge of the roof. It is built of wood, on v. concrete foundation, and haß a root o? corrugated iron. The ground floor ia the boatbousa proper; by utilising the old shed, which haß been placed at the hack of the new structure, a fine room 96ft in length has been made. A row of posts supporting the upper floor runs down the centre of the new part of this "abed ": the floor i 3 of puddled clay, and entrance is given in front by two eight-foot- wide doorwayß, fitted with sliding doors. The dressing and bathrooms are at the back of the " shed." A staircase on the loft-hand side of the bt&troom, close to the front entrance, leads to a landing on the upper floor, and gives access to the social room or assembly hall. A fine mom is this— s3ft long, 27ft wide, and 20ft in height-. Around the walls runs a dado of upright panels, alternately of red and white pine, varnished. The npper part of the walls is plastered. The roof is an open timbered one of red pine ; the beams and boarding are varnished, and the iron tie-rods and straps painted ultramarine. The hall is lighted in the daytime by six windows, three on each side. By night it will be illuminated by gas, two two-light pendants being fixed at each of the four principals of the roof. A staircase at the back leads down to the boat-room below; In front of the hall, and entered both from it and from the landing, is a Com-mittee-room, 14ft by 12ft, with French windows opening to the balcony. Adjoining is a ladies' room, about the same size, and also with a window giving accesß to the balcony. These two apartments have dados and plastered walla similar to those of the hall. The building was designed by Mr E. W. England, jun., architect. The contractors for its erection were Messrs Petrie and Co., and the contractor for the painting was Mr T: Blood.