CHRIST'S COLLEGE

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18364, 23 April 1925, Page 4

CHRIST'S COLLEGE

THE MEMORIAL HALL. The Christ's College Memorial Hal!, which lias been provided for the College by the Old Boys, is now ready for occupation, and will lie handed over to the school to-day on behalf cf the donors by his Grace Archbishop Julius. The hall itself constitutes a building unique among school edifices in the Dominion, and, moreover, it givc.s to the city an architectural feature of which it should be proud. It also constitutes another example of the loyalty of Hie College Old Boys to both their school ami Hie Empire, for it stands as a memorial to those of their number who gave their lives during The Great "War.

The hall is a magnificent structure built of Ilcon Hay stone, relieved with Redcliffs stone. Everything about it serves to indicate the care which has been displayed in its design, even to the smallest details. It will provide accommodation for about 1000 people. Beautiful Queensland maple is used to panel the interior, while the roof spans of Oregon pine give the whole an appearance of imposing massiveness and strength. These have been beautifully fitted and finished—a fact which applies to all the work throughout tho building. There arc- two splendid oriel windows, an unusual feature, for the liall is in tlui position-of having two fronts, the real one of which faces the quadrangle, while the other looks on to Kolleston avenue, having, iii fact, been built right up to the street line. The windows are among the principal of the many beautiful features of the hall. The oriel window facing the quadrange has been carried unusually low, and will admit of an uninterrupted view right through to the football ground. Above the panelling in the interior the walls are of Oamaru stone, thus giving a distinctive touch to the general effect —which is pleasing in the extreme.

The masters' dining-room opens off the main hall, and hero is situated the Barker fireplace. This fireplace stood for many years in the old Synod Hall, a memorial to the late Dr. Barker, and, on the demolition of that building to make way for the present structure, it was decided to preserve the old fireplace by incorporating it in. the new building. Adjoining i 3 the staff diningroom, steward's offices, and dry stores, with the steward's quarters above. The kitchen is up to date in every detail. Ample light is admitted through skylights, tho cooking is done by steam, and an electrical system provides the heating. The outside of the building compare's favourably iu every respect with the beautiful interior. The roof has the appearaucc of an old English battlement, and appropriate decorations have been added.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM. AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ROOM. An interesting addition has been made to tho series of English Rooms in the Department of Woodwc.k of tho Victoria and Albert Museum, audi has now been erected in Gallery No. oG. This is a complete room from a house in Long street, "Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, panelled with pin* wood painted olive green, and furnished with its original set of paperhangings painted with flowers, birds, and trees in the Chinese style. This'paper formerly had a border of fret-patcern, portions of which are exhibited, but at a later date this was replaced with a stencilled edging of floral festoons on a black ground, which is still in position. The overmantel is decorated' with applied carving of foliage and rococo ornament, having small brackets for china vases and similar ornaments'; and a handsome- eighteenth-century grate of brass and iron, which was in the room before its removal, has also been secured and placed iu position. The wall opposite the fireplace has two recessed and panelled windows, with the original window frames, and abovo these are nainted cornices, also in the Chinese style. An interesting feature has been the discovery in the back of the wallpaper of the tax stamp "G.R," which was ordered to lie impressed on all such goods by an Act of George I. The 700 m" measures 17 feet 7 inches by G inches in interior area, and 'its height is about 0 feet. It is considered" to date from about tho year 17-10.

Twickenham will soon have one of the most interesting town halls in the kingdom. The Urban District Council has acquired York House, a fine Queen Anne mansion, and Messrs Ralph Knott and E- Stone Collins are preparing plans to convert it into modern municipal buildings. The interest of York Houso is partly architectural, but much more historical. It was the residence of a King (James IT., while Duke of York), the birthplace of three Queens (Queen Anne, Mary, the wife of William 111., and Queen* Amelie of Portugal); later, it was the home of a LArd Chancellor (Clarendon), an Archbishop (Cleaver, of Dublin), interesting Royal exiles like the Comt-c de Paris, and many other notabilities. As for the distinguished people who at one time or another have visited York House, their name is legion. Fortunately this interesting mansion lends itself well to the purposes of a town hall. It will contain, when the alterations arc complete, a large Council chamber, chairman's room and committee rooms, dental and medical clinics, a large public hall with a stage, besides administrative offices. The alterations will cost. £20,000, the old building with its extensive grounds cost £20,500, and wc should think-the ratepayers of Twickenham have made a good bargain.

St. Paul's organ is ono of the finest in the -world. It was originally built in 1697 by the celebrated German organ builder, Father Bernard Schmidt, and cost £2OOO, which was a considerable sum at the time. It was reconstructed in 1870. The magnificent wood carving of the organ cases, one of the glories of the cathedral, was the work of Grinling Gibbons. Considerable additions and improvements wcro carried out in 1897. There are now five rows of pedals and keys, 4822 speaking pipes, and 102 stops. In order to provide sufficient wind for the most powerful of the stops a pressure of three tons has to be put on the bellows.