The Cathedral Hall, Melbourne

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 28 April 1904, Page 29

The Cathedral Hall, Melbourne

A ceremony which had been looked forward to with great interest by the Catholics of Melbourne— the opening of the Cathedral Hall— took place on Sunday afternoon, April 10. The proceedings were characterised by great enthusiasm, and those prese-nt were loud in their praises of the fine dimensions of the building, the rich decorations of the interior compelling the admiration of all. As was said by his Grace the Archbishop in the course of his speech, the hall for its dimensions stands unnlvalled among those of Australia. It is there that the Catholic Congress will meet next October, and no more suitable building could be found for such a gathering, as there are, in addition to the main hall, several rooms where the meetings of the various sections can be held simultaneously. The ceremony was witnessed by a concourse of fully 2000 persons, many of whom had come long distances for the occasion.

His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne presided, and the opening ceremony was performed by the Chief Secretary (Sir Samuel Gillott, K.C.M.G.) who in the course of his speech said that all lovers of architectural beauty must admit that the erection of fhe hy 11 was a distinct gain to that portion of the city. They need only look around and see the beautiful fibrous plaster ceilings, the oaken dado, beautifully carved, the balconies supported not by obstructing columns as in 1 lie Town Hall, tiut so placed as not to obscure the \iow of the stage. His Grace the Archbishop was correct when he said that, for its size and its dimensions, it was unrivalled amongst the halls of Australia.

Speeches were also delivered by tihe Hon. N. FitzgeraLd, M.L.C., Hon. J. G. Duffy, M.L.A., Mr. D. O'Connor, M.L.A. (Sydney), and others. The collection talken up in the hall realised £2000.

The hall is one of the finest in Melbourne (says the ' Advocate '), and is perfectly equipped in every way. The approach from Brunswick street is through a large and handsome entrance hall with dressing rooms on cither side, along a semi-open-air lounge adorned with plants and flowers, and from that into the great hall. The dimensions are : — Length, 100 ft. ; width, 51ft. ; height, 30ft The balcony, which is along three sides, has a total of 210 ft. The body of the hall will accommodate an audience of 1000 persons and the gallery 600. The stage is 38ft. wide and 24ft. from front to back. Behind the stage are dressing rooms, and underneath fine kitchen accommodation. A feature of the hall is the fibrous plaster decorations of the walls and ceilings. It is all of the richest arid most artistic character. The balcony itself is supported without columns, thus leaving; the floor space free. It is constructed on the- cantilever principle. The floor of the hall is bedded on in'diarubber cushions, so as to make it springy for dancing. The total cost of the buildings, including c!ub-rooms, is £12,000.