Town Hall, Wellington.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 10, 1 August 1906, Page 266

Town Hall, Wellington.

The excellent picture, which we print on this month's cover, depicts the Wellington Town Hall, New Zealand's finest municipal building. i The architecture is Italian Renaissance and Corinthian, and the effect of these styles is imposing when viewed from an outside vantage point. Looking towards the building from the north the beholder is first impressed with the handsome main portico supported on its graceful Corinthian columns, and surmounted by the clock tower — 209 ft. from ground to flagstaff truck. But the symmetrical proportions of the huge building are evident on all sides, while the embellishments on the pediments and superstructure generally form quite a feature in the external scheme. These are appropriately confined to allegorical groups and the civic symbolism of the city. Entering the building at the main entrance 111 Cuba street, the visitor is at once delighted with the chasteness of pure white wall and ceiling ; and, passing into the Great Hall — one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere — he is fascinated by the sheer bigness of things. This chamber is 150 ft. long, 75 ft. wide, and 48 ft. high. It accommodates, without overcrowding, 3,000 people, and possesses acoustic properties of the first order. A continuous gallery, 10 ft. from the ground floor, encircles the hall, and seats quite half the forementioned number. The colouring of ceiling and gallery balustrade constitutes, perhaps, an unnecessary expenditure, but, nevertheless, remains as pleasing to the eye as the artistic application of harmonious tints can procure. The organ, built by Norman & Beard, London, is one of the finest in the Australasian colonies, and cost upwards of The design of the instrument is such as to enhance the architectural effect of the Great Hall. Passing upstairs to the first floor, the visitor next inspects the Small Hall, 62 by 46 by 30 ft., an admirable little chamber for the average concert, and capable of seating 500 people. Herein are permanenly fixed a sloping stage, with a couple of contiguous ante-rooms, and modern devices for ensuring requisite warmth and ventilation. On this floor are also the Council Chamber and Mayor's Offices, besides the host of smaller rooms used in direct connection with the Council's work. In the Council Chamber a horseshoe table has been adopted in place of the inconvenient, oblong one of old. This idea brings about a considerable saving of time in despatching the business of the Council. The provisions for escape in event of fire are quite commensurate with the detail bestowed upon the eye-pleasing qualities of the Town Hall. The building is fireproof and the exits are considered perfectly adequate in. event of panic. The body of the Great Hall and the gallery have six egresses, all opening on to the main 10 ft. corridors to fire escapes. Of the latter there are two — one leading from the Great Hall into Mercer-street yard, the other into an interior area. Cloak rooms and conveniences for performers and public abound. Electricity is used for the lighting, and a system of ventilation is installed which militates against oppressiveness when the halls are crowded. The contractors were Patterson, Martin and Hunter, and the price to date is close on , architect, J. Charlesworth ; clerk of works, J.

Short. Among the sub-contractors were the following . — furnishings, H. Feilder ; ironwork, Crabtree & Sons (200 tons of steel girders and ironwork for balustrades) ; plumbing and heating, G. Snadden ; plastering and tiling, T. Foley & Sons ; painting, Jackson & Co. ; electrical work, J. Dawson ; zinc (Wunderhch), Bnscoe & Co. ; linoleums, etc., Kirkcaldie & Stams.