THE TOWN HALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12, 23 March 1907, Page 12

THE TOWN HALL.

. SELECTION OF DESIGNS. PRIZES WON BY VICTORIANS. A special meeting of the Auckland City Council was held last week for' the purpose of considering the report on the designs for the new town hall. Mr. A. M. Myers (Mayor) presided, and there were also present Messrs. A. J. Entrican, W. E. Hutclfison, H. M. Stneeton, L. G. Bagmill. R Farrell, R. Tudehope, C. Grey, and C. J. Parr. The Mayor stated that during the past seven or eight days the arbitrators appointed by the Council —Messrs. 11. C. Dent (Sydney), P. Oakden (Melbourne), E. Mahoney, and R. M. Watt (Auckland), and Mr. W. E. Bush (citv engineer) —had been engaged each day and evening in considering the designs sent in.' They finished their work the previous day, and he had called a meeting immediately to consider it. Mr. Bush then read the report, as follows :—

We have the honour to report that we have made a careful and exhaustive exam ination of the designs submitted in competition for your proposed Town Hall. The number of sets put before us was 4G, of which one was incomplete, it having only the plans without any elevations or sections. We are unanimously agreed in our selection of the three best designs as follows: — First Design marked XXVII. Second ... Design marked V. Third Design marked XVII. Of these XXVII. is pronouncedly the best in its fulfilment of the several requirements and conditions of the competition, in general planning, ami in character of both external and internal design. As regards cost, there can be no doubt that the problem set by the conditions of competition has been a very difficult one, the sum named (1'GO.OOO) being barely sufficient to cover the accommodation asked for on the site selected, more especially when the somewhat exceptional difficulties in securing a good foundation on that site are taken into consideration. We are, however, of opinion that (subject to the rigid economy as to finish to which we refer below), all the three designs premiated fairly comply with the conditions as to limit of cost. Of course, each competitor is bound by the condition stated in clause 6, which requires him to obtain a tender (necessarily on proper working drawings and specification), for the amount of the estimate, and we have no fear but that the author of design XXVII. will cheerfully accept that condition. We,

however, consider that the cost can only lie kept within the stipulated amount by tile exercise of rigid economy in material and finish, and by treating the exterior in cement. This applies to all the designs. We would strongly advise that the exterior be finished in stone or with plain faces of brick and stone dressings. We estimate that the cost of this will not be more than an additional I’l per cent, upon the total cost, and it will be better to Incur this extra, even though it may necessitate the only' partial completion, at first, of some of the less-essential portions of the building. In any case the completion of the portions of the building planned for future extension of the engineer's and other departments, and of the upper part of the tower can be postponed. These do not necessarily conn 1 in the schedule of accommodation laid down in the conditions. As may naturally be expected, there is not one design but which, we think, can be improved by some slight modification. We have left with the city engineer a list of suggestions dealing with each of the prerniated designs. The suggestions we have made would not involve increased expenditure. In conclusion we have only to state that in no instance has the authorship of any design revealed itself to any of us, either by its treatment or draughtsmanship, and that we are in absolute ignorance upon this point, not only in reference to the selected designs, but also as regards the remainder. —(Signed), Walter E. Bush, A.M. Inst. C.E.; Harry C. Kent, M.A., F.R.1.8.A.; Percy Oakden, F.R.V.1.A.; Thomas Mahoney, Robert 11. Watt. The Council then adjourned to the Society of Arts Building, where the designs were arranged in order to inspect them. On resuming, the Mayor moved: —“ That our arbitrators, being satisfied that No. 27 complies with the conditions laid down for the competitive designs called for. be awarded the first prize of £4OO. that No. 5 be awarded the second prize of £2OO. and No. 17 the third prize of £lOO, subject to the conditions being complied with.” He said that the Council was to he congratulated on receiving so many designs. It was evident that a considerable amount of time and expense had been involved, and that the Council had gone about the matter the proper way. It also showed that those who had prepared the designs had every confidence in the Council giving due consideration to each. It was pleasing to know that the arbitrators were unanimous in arriving at their conclusion. Air. Farrell’seconded, and the motion was agreed to. The names of the designers were then unsealed, and it was found that the designers of the winning plan were J. J. and E. J. Clark, architects, 395, Collins-street, Melbourne. Mr. J. J. Clark was architect of the Brisbane Town Hall, tendered for £64,000; new public offices, Brisbane, £120,090; Waverley Town Hall. Sydney; and Orange Town Hall, New South Wales. With Mr. E. J. Clark, Mr. J. J. Clark was architect for the Fremantle Town Hall additions; won second prize for the Melbourne Hospital, £75.000; first prize for Women’s Hospital. Melbourne, £53,000; and National Mutual Buildings, Ballarat, £17.000. Mr. J. J. Clark was also architect for the city baths, Melbourne, £18,000; Newcastle Hospital, New South Wales, £6500; Maitland Hospital, New South Wales, £lO,OOO, etc., etc. . The firm winning second prize is William and Herbert Black, Camberwell, Melbourne. The former is Fellow of the

Royal Institute of British Architects and Associate of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects. Mr. H. Black is Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Messrs. Clegg and Miller, architects, of Ballarat, Victoria, secured the third prize.

ORGAN FOR TOWN HALL.

PRESENTED BY MR. H. BR-ETT. Auckland will, in the near ful'irc, rot only possess a tin? Town Hall, 1- ;t also an organ suited to the building. At the meeting of tho City Council last week the following letted was read from Mr. Henry Brett:—■ To the Mayor aud City Connell, Auckland: Dear Sirs, —In view of the early adoption of a design for the Auckland Town Hall, I desire to submit for your consideration and acceptance a proposal for the erection of an organ adequate for the requirements of the building and worthy of our city. For some time past I have been in correspondence with Mr Leinare. the eminent organist, and Mr 11. A. Tristin, representing Messrs Norman and Beard, Ltd., the builders of the organ to the Town Hall, Wellington, the great organ at Norwich Cathedral, and the new organ at the Koyal College of Organists, Kensington, London. The organ provided for under Mr Leraare’s spec'tication is slightly larger and more costly than the one erected by Messrs Norman and Beard in the Wellington Town Hall, -and embodies certain alterations In the design of that fine instrument which Mr Leinare and the builders recognise as improvements. The space required for the organ will be as follows:—Height, 40ft; width. 40tt; depth, 28ft. Deep cellarage is required for the motor power. .If the Council decide to accept the organ, therefore, provision for these requirements will have to be made in the plans of the new Town Hall. I have made no suggestion for the motor, because I presume the Council will be able to obtain for this purpose electrical energy from the new electrical installation. I am prepared to make a gift to the City of Hie organ, as briefly described above and more fully set out in the full specification now in my possession, and which I shall have pleasure In submitting to the Council or the architects of the Town Hall whenever they desire It. The only conditions laid down with respect to this gift are:—(l) That the requisite space for the organ, as set out In the .specifications, sliaU be provided. (2) That a certain number of performances, to be hereafter agreed upon, shall be given to the public free every year.

The Mayor said the announcement was, he was sure, very gratifying. They hoped before long to have a Town Hall worthy of the city; but so far nothing had been said about the very necessary adjunct to such a building—an organ. Auckland, however, bad been singularly fortunate in the gifts that had been bestowed upon it, by the munificence of its private citizens; and it was with very great pleasure that they now learned one more was to be added to the list, Mr. Henry -Brett having generously offered to present an organ for the new Town Hall, a gift not only of great intrinsic value, but also of great public utility. Without such an instrument, indeed, a town hall could not adequately fulfil all the purposes for which it was required. It would make the hall available for great musical gatherings; it would enable those -present-at -meetings for other purposes to spend the intervals of waiting, otherwise so tedious, in listening to its soul-stirring strains; and recitals would, no doubt, also be held periodically. Anything tending to the education and uplifting of the masses of the . people should be welcomed and encouraged by' the civic authorities; and good music, with its brightening and refining influences, its power to soothe, to cheer, and to inspire, to awaken and give expression to the loftiest and tenderest emotions, undoubtedly came under' this category. A history of music in Auckland would admittedly be incomplete if the name of Henry Brett, did not figure prominently therein, both as an executant and a patron; and this was not the first time he bad shown his enthusiasm for this art in a very practical way, To mention, only one of many instances, the city already, owed the organ in the Choral Hall to-his liberality ■ and ■public spirit. In these-strenuous times, .when the tendency of the age savoured rather of excess towards seeking the material: things of life, it was highly beneficial to ii'community to possess citizens ; w tyiftwA < -'.Ughtecl .in, unselfish gift. 9, for the dual .purpose of giving artistic pleasure to their feltow-eitizenß, 1 and at the same

time demonstrating the donors' pride in their municipal hearth. This act of spontaneous generosity .on the pdrt of an esteemed fellow-citizen (an ex-Mayor, by the way) relieved the Council of the expensive responsibility of providing a suitable organ for the noble Town Hall, the erection of which had already been sanctioned by the burgesses, and. a design approved a few days ago. The instrument which Mr. Brett contemplated presenting would be one well worthy of a city which had always been distinguished for the love of its people for music—in fact it would be the best in the colony, costing several thousand pounds. (Loud applause.) The Mayor then moved: — “That this Council accepts, with" feeling of exceedingly great pleasure and satisfaction, Mr. Brett’s magnificent gift of an organ for the Now Town Hall for the City of Auckland. Mr. Brett has always shown a practical interest in any movement in relation to music in this city, and this last gift further proves his devotion to the City in which lie has lived for so many years, and his sincere desire to add to the enjoyment and education of its citizens, ami this Council feels that it cannot allow this occasion to pass without expressing its sincere* and heartfelt thanks for such a generous gift.” (Appluise.) Mr. Parr, in seconding the motion, said he often wondered why it was that this city had the prominence over all others in the Australasian colonies in the fact of possessing generous-hearted publiespirited men. But sue), was the ease, for Auckland had a unique record in that respect, n.ieqn illcd by any other colonial town. The only explanation he could find for it was that Auckland, with its splendid situation and beautiful scenery, created sentiments of love for the place in the generous hearts of wealthy citizens, with the result that the city was wonderfully well endowed. In Mr. Henry Brett, Auckland had another generous benefactor. Mr. Brett had seen in connection with the proposed new Town Hall, what might not have occurred to others, the need for an organ, so as to make it what such a place should be, the musical centre of the city... Those who heard the magnificent organ in the Sydney Town Hall played by such masters as Wiegand and Mason could better realise what the possession of a fine organ meant in the matter of giving great pleasure to large multitudes. Mr. Bret* undoubtedly deserved the cordial thanks of the Council on behalf of the citizens. ■ Mr. Smeeton said the value of this gift to the city was enhanced by the. generosity shown in the almost entire absence of conditions. Auckland was indeed especially fortunate in the possession of citizens who thought of the interests of the city. The motion was then adopted amidst great applause.