THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3244, 6 July 1871, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.

Some time ago we published a description of tbe new residence built expressly for occupation by his Excellency the Governor. That description, regarded from a professional point of view, was able and perfect in its way, and we now propose to give a general outline of the interior appearance of the building Bince the placing of the interior fittings. As before described, the building itself is after the Italian Btyle, and, from certain points of observation is decidedly handsome. The most noticeable of the detracting features are, the too limited area of ground on which the house is erected, the want of sufficient expanse in landscape at once arresting the attention of a critical eye ; then again, from certain poiuti the whole effect is overshadowed by a less pretentious building — the Catholic Chapel, which forces itself upon the favorable notice of all visitors to our city, merely by its attractive appearanco from the eminence on which it is built. However, these are matters over which the architect nould not have the slightest control, and tnuat be viewed entirely apart from the architectural merits of the structure. As the Vice regal party will in all probability arrive previous to the opening of Parliament, and all opportunity of inspection consequently be closed, we have availed ourselves of an opportunity to place before our readers a few observations made during a recent visit. On entering the hall by the main entrance, one cannot help boing impressed with the grandeur of the fabric, which at once conveya the idea of richness divested of gaudiness, the evidont object of the architect having been to achieve superb excellence by avoiding showy splendour. The immediate entrance is converted into a kind of waiting-room, shut off from the hall by means of swing doors; The walls aud ceiling of this part are made of New Zealand wood, panelled and IVeneh polished, with a fillet of gilt neatly inserted into the panels and doors, which are surmounted by massive pediments. The hall in its extreme length 19 ninety-six feet, and ia furnished with all the appropriate appointments, viz., three hall tables, eight chairs, hat and umbrella stand, very handsomely designed and manufactured from Now Zealand wood by Mr Fuhrmann, of Christclmroh, to whom i& entrusted the completion \of the- arrangements for furnishing bho- -Uuilding throughout. These are all made from a wood of beautiful grain, which takes an exquisite polish, and are ornamented with coronet and crest. On the right of the entrance is the cloak-room, where one is faced by myriads of pegs ; and on tbe left are situate the Governor's offices, consisting of a suite of four rooms, each having meanß of egress to a corrider, which connects the whole with the main hall. The furnishing of these rooms ia not of an elaborate description, nearly all of that used in the old building having been utilised in furnishing them. Emerging from the farthest of these rooms, the visitor proceeds along the corridor situate at the southern portion of the building, at the end of which are situate the apartments of his Excellency's aide-de-camp, consisting of spacious sitting-room and bedroom, with necessary appurtenances. At this portion of the building is situate one of four doors for exit to the court-yard. Returning up the corridor, which is cosily fitted with oilcloth of a neat pattern, we regain the hall, and cross over to the card-room, on the right of the entrance. This ie a comfortable little room, but is as yet entiroly unfurnished, the only article of adornment being a table with a magnificent top of New Zealand woods inlaid, which ocoupies the centre. This piece of furniture is a masterpiece in its way, and is the handiwork of an ingenious and skilful cabinet-maker of Auckland. This room, of course, has a convenient entrance to the ballroom, aroom of fine proportions, being about 25 feet by 70, which can be partitioned off to about forty feet in length by massive folding doors of the same stained and polished wood as that of the entrance hall, with rich moulding, and a fillet of gilt insortion. Of tho appearance of the room itself it can only be said to be grand, yet chaste. The finish of the workmanship in the plaster ceiling is nothing less than superb, but the design, though in well chosen taste and displaying great discriminating skill, is marred by the appearance of the walls, which are hung with French satin paper of most handsome pattern — white and gold — but which suffer greatly by comparison with the rich modesty of the ceiling. The contrast is too great and the tone is destroyed^ the supreme grace and beauty of the cornice eclipsing the lustrous dazzle whioh the walls are wont to impart. The general appearance cannot by any means be siid to be bad, -but the effect must have been greatly heightened | had somo little mural display been introduced to accord with the enriched beams and ljfinels of tho coiling. The cornice, or co^iMtion border, is formed by a series of trussed and patras supporting the beams. Around the room are placed handsome Bide ottomans covered with amber silk, preparation for Terpsichorean enjoyment having already been provided for by the introduction of one of Erard's grands. There are two mantel pieces of neat design. Two large oval mirrors to be placed over these mantel pieces are still to arrive from England, and also the gas chandeliers for the lighting of the room. At the further extremity of the ball room is the drawing room, whioh is about forty feet by twenty -five feet. On entering this room one is almost overawed by a feeling of surrounding grandeur, and itia difficult which feature most to admire until the rich drapery of the bay window catches the eye. The curtains are of plain amber satin, surmounted by a heavy gilt cornice of excellent design, and are greatly enriched by an elaborate valance ; the ouvlains have patent French rods attached, by whioh they may be thrown back or olosed from both Bides by one motion of a single cord. This article of ornature throws an air of splendor on everything around, the riohneas of the fringe, and the graceful aud massive folds lending great effect to the general apperrance of the roonit The furniture is of ebony, the ohairs being covoredi will? amber silkj and hcviog ornemented gilt

edges; the centre ottoman, also covered in Bmber silk, being a gorgeous piece of furnishing. Over the mantlepieco is a Urge and very handsome gilt pier glass. There are also two gilt oval glasses for the sido walls, with handBorne reflecting bronze chandeliers, but these are not yefc placed, the position they are to occupy not being yet definitely decided on. The mantlepiece is of chocolate mottled marble, Bomething aftor the Gothic in style, and, taken by itself, is very tasty in design, though it does not harmonise with the other appurtenances of the apartment. The grate and the fittings of the fireplace are of steel nnd ormolu, and the appearance of the whole is very aeat. The room is fitted with a Brussels carpet of a dark pattern, with inserted border. In the tout ensemble the effort to harmonise has not been altogether successful, the touo being somewhat marred by tho extreme colors about the bay window and the surroundings of the mantelpiece. Tho whole of this furniture wa9 supplied by tho eminent upholsterers, Messrs Jackson and Graham, of Oxford street, London, and has been fitted and arranged by Mr Fuhrmann, of Christchurch, the contractor for completing the upholstery and furnishing of the entire r building. The ceiling is the same as that of the ball room, and is fitted with neat bronze gas fittings. As a part of the completeness of tho architect's design, the door connecting the drawing-room witli the conservatory is fitted on rollers, and can be thrown right back, thus affording a clear space on the occasion of bulls or on ordinary occosions, for communicating with the conservatory, a well constructed glasshouse, about 20 feet by 45 feet, to the cooling atmosphere of which, after the escitemenfc of the dance, the participants can retire to enjoy the fragrance of" the exotics, a means of exit being provided at the end of the glass building to enable those who have sufficiently refreshed themselves to make way for other fair Cynthias " W"ho pass their lives in fountains and on flow ers. And never know the weight of human hours." Beturning by this door, the hall and a warmer atmosphere are regained, tho spacious propor- , tions of the former uffording opportunity for a promenade previous to rejoining the giddy throng. Coming up the hall from the conservatory, tho dining-room is situated on the right. This is a fine spacious apartment, 25 feet by 40 feet. The ceilings are of the same design as the other*, having a border of trussed cornices and patras supporting enriched '.beams and panels. Tho walls are hung with a sombre-looking paper of buff and gold, the curtains being made of a claret colored cloth, with rich borders ; these are plain and neat, and have all tho latest improvements — French rods, p ullies, &c. In this voom there is a magnificent article of furniture — a mahogmiy Bideboard of gigantic proportions, handsomely carved, and having a plato-gluss back, measuring 9 feet by 5 feet. In tlie room there are twenty-four chairs of an antique pattern, with leather bucks and seats, which Beem hardly adapted for the purpose they are intended to serve. The room is carpeted with a heavy Turkey carpet, of^fine quality. From the dining-roouj, -we advance to tho main gtaircase, which is seven feet between the balusters. There is a spacious recess on each side, in each of which is a table which may bo brought.into requisition on the occasions of banquets or balls. These tables may be turned round in line with the hall wali, so aa to form a refectory, means of providing relays of refreshments being had by doors under the staircase, which leud either to the housekeeper's room, or, by passing along one of tho corridors, to the kitchen. At the back of the staircase is another of four doors, which leads into tho court-yard, which is a fine, spacious Bquare, about 60 feet by 70 feet, with a cemented floor ; it has a clean, and dry appearance, and means have been taken iv tho laying of the cement to keep it perfectly free from water in wet weather. In fche centre: of fcMs j-srd ia tlze larder, wtUCD. IB constructed on a principle admirably adapted to subserve the end in view, it being well shaded from the sun by overhanging eaves, and most judiciously ventilated throughout. On the right and left of the outer gate are fi'tuato the wasli house and a storeroom, and to the left, entering from this gate, the ' kitchen. Here wo have, par excellence, the best of kitchen utensils, the most approved specimen of a sraoko-jack, not a bad exemplification of the possibility of perpetual motion, rack-Bkewers, and the thousand and one etceteras attaching to so large an establishment, On the whole, the kitchen does not appear roomy enough for the work it is likely to bo called upon to perform. From the kitchen extends a row of domestic ofllces, one being the servants' hall or waiting room, where the visitor is confronted by a tintinabulary display, as formidable, but fortuuately as silent, as Duncan's ghosts ; these bells, thirty-four iv number, are ranged along a beam in the ceiling, and are connected with all roomß, gates, and doors of the establishment. Next to this is the butler's strong room, in which is a largo safe, built in the wall, for the purpose of securing the plate of the house j and, further on, a room fitted up with appliances for washing the plate, hot and cold water tanks, racks, &a, and below thia latter room is the wine cellar, which is very roomy, and has cemented floors. For facility of description we again pass through the dining room by a door at the end of the passage leading from the butler's ofllces, and reach the main staircase by the hall. Directly facing, so as to light tho hall and the second landing is, a stained glass window, having no great pretension to design ; it is plum and neat, and permits the entrance of abundance of light. On reaching the first landing the •visitor may turn either to tho right or left, there being a staircase on either side, which meet on the second landing, which is supported from the hall by plain wood pilasters supporting a nicely finished arch. Past tho top of the staircase runs a long passage corresponding in direction with the hall below, and immediately facing the main landing is the chief bedroom of the house, which is fitted with bandBomo furnishings of an appropriate description. To the right and left of this room avo*Beparato dressing and bath rooms, the whole forming a complete suite of apart ments. In the southeast corner of the house are situate a bedroom and sitting room, for the special accommodation of the Commodore of the fleet on tho station. Adjoining these rooms is the smoking room. In a recess in this neighborhood is the Btaircase leading to the tower, in which is a light and airy Httlo room, from which a prospect in any direction can be had. Here also is tho first of the spare bedrooms, passing through which the upper south-west corridor is reached. This embraces a range of four spare bedrooms, and two dressing rooms, and is well ventilated and lighted, and overlooking the court-yard, has, as Dick Swivoller says, " a very pleasing prospect of over the way." Eeturning from the south-east corner, the lady's maid'B room is on tho left, and away at the end of the passage, iv the right-hand corner, are situate the governess' room, with schoolroom attached. Opposite these, at the other side of the passage, are tho day nursery and night nursery, and further on on tho same side the housekeeper's room. A Btaircase in this neighborhood leads down to the butler's private room, and, ascending again, tho maidBervantß' apartments are reached, tho rooms being three in number, which are fitted up with every regard to the comfort of their occupants. Descending by the same stairs the ground floor is regained, and tho visitor finds himself in a pasßiige which leads either to the main hall, by taking a direction to the right, or to the butler's ofllce and the kitchen ,by taking the left. The inen-servant'e rooms, two in number, are above the kitchen, and are reached by a staircase in that direction. Away in the north-west of the grounds are the stables, a block of buildings of so superior a description than many an enviouß glance has been directed at them by some of the poorer classes of our population, who would only bo too happy to change their abode for that of the king'? horses with all celerity. On the whole, we va:a Lidy fay, iv' justice to tho

architect and to those who have been engaged in carrying out the contracts for the different parts of the work, that the plan and its fulfilment are highly creditable. The laying out of the building seems to have been conceived with a studious care to all the requirements of an edifice of Biich proportions, and will form a standing testimony to Mr Clayton's reputation as an architect. No small share of credit is due to Mr Fuhrmann for the evident attention and care bestowed in the delicate matter of arranging and fitting the costly furniture imported from England, and in completing in so satisfactory a manner the many troublesome details pertaining to his contract.