OAMARU CATHOLIC BASILICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 22, 27 September 1895, Page 21

OAMARU CATHOLIC BASILICA.

The portion of this church which is already constructed is shown on the two illustration*, and although it is sufficiently near completion to allow of its being used, it ia still far from complete in most of its details. The interior view, which presents the nave seen from the central entrance, has yet to receive all its carver's work, the enrichments of the Corinthian cornice, and the carving of the capitals of both columns and pilasters bein,} now only represented by the rough stonework. The ceiling which, when completed, is designed to be finished in woodwork coffers, solidly moulded and paneled with carved mouldings and centre roses presents nothing now to view but bare beams, through which are seen the slates of the roof. This nave, which is 36ft wide in tha clear, 72ft long and 36ft high, has access (hrough three colonnades, one on each fide and one at tha end, consisting of rows of Corinthian columns, 21ft high, designed in the strictest Greek style, giving the whole of the interior a very solid and rich effect. The arch at the far end, which is one of the few departures from the strict Greek of the whole conception, at present forms the greater part of the temporary sanctuary, but in the completed design gives entrance to the permanent sanctuary, which will occupy the whole space, 30ft square, under the great dome.

The external view, taken from the north corner of the main front, Bhows the building as it now stands, shorn of all its decorative features. When this portion is finished, in accordance with the completed desigD, the whole of the central portion will be occupied by a Corinthian portico, formed by eight fluted columns with full dies and bases, carrying an entablature and front pediment, surmounted by a life-size white marble crucifix, and having the tympanum filled in with a bas-relief representation, also in marbl", of the Sarmin on the Mount, tht whole reaching the height of the top of the central block ahowa on the illustration. This portico will bay- an impostDg flight

of e ; ghteen stone steps for its whole width, reaching from the street lnval to the tiled floor within tha colonnade. The two small towers to be seen on either side of the principal front, ara designed to be sunn )untad with stone domes, each carried on eight Corinthian c ilumns within which the bells will be placed . Till most of these details are carried out this front, as at present seen, must necessarily have a very heavy and unfinished look.

The stone used for the construction of this church has been got from the Weaton quirry, and the cheapness of this material has enabled the architect to give full scope to the true Greek propor iona in all their massive solidity, and although the liraeijtonp mcd does not allow of the same eff:ct being given in the finer details as would be the case in the use of marble, still the maintaining of all the larger scale proportions is an advantage which will alwiya meet with the approbation of the lovers of classic work. One of th« principal internal features which, though finished, is not pre<ented in the illui' rations is the organ loft which occupies the wholp breadth of the nave immediately over the principa 1 pntratce and at the height of the main colonnade. Tha view of the nave and sanctuary from the organ loft is obtnited through an archway 25ft wide. The flooj of 'be organ loft, which is 36ft x 15ft, consists of one slab of cement concrete, six inches thic l >, w 1 ich has been viewed wth sundry head-shakm :•$ and terrible forebodings by some who are not int lated in the secret of its constructs n. The only portion of this bnilding wH '; may be s id to be combustible ii the roof and rio.irw, all the refct being of titbei stone, concrete or iron Tbis building was designed by Mr Knnk W. Petro, architect, Dunedin, and up to ht- present Mr D. W. Woods of the same ci'y has carried out the construction.