GOTHIC LINES!

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18900, 15 January 1927, Page 5

GOTHIC LINES!

NEW PUMPING STATIONS.

ORNAMENTS TO CITYf. Probably ,-triet utilitarians will sec nothing laudable in the Drainage Board's adoption of plans fur its new pumping stations, which take into account tho new municipal spirit, one expression of which is the Town Planning Act. in the past, no attempt lias been mack* to introduce features in the buildings calculated to appeal to the aesthetic sense, and in consequence in various parts of the City, may be seen unsightly concrete sub-stations. The Board lias a total of 24 new stations to build. Two have aneady been completed except for the electric wiring, anl two others are practically finished, while contracts have been let in the ca.se of others. A reporter who was shown three of the stations yesterday, was impressed by tho ornate superstructure, and the result achieved by a little sympathetic treatment in drawing the plans. Messrs P. Graham and Son are the contractors for the Retreat road substation, which is perhaps the plainesv of the three visited, but it was no* difficult tc see that an attempt had been made to design something in keep inn- with the surroundings. Off Woodham road a station undo constrnetion might have made an excellent ; ittern for some of the petrol bowser stations in the City. Largv "tone pihais at the comers support- ;, hipped roof of Welsh slate, with cop per guttering. The eaves project full\ 18 inches, and there is a classic friezt in "bite cement, with flutes and medal lions. Briok nanels are poin'pd m similar material, and about 20 venti : htors have been provided under tilt •wes. The ceiling is of varnished Oregon. The laree cylindrical tank of concrete under this building was constructed on the surf nee and gradually sunk intrv place The windows of the huildi.irr are steel-framed. Mr T. "helouing is the building contractor and Mr R. J. Estall has the plastering work in harKl. The third station visited is an archi tertural gem. It is being built in Randolph street Woolston. The piers are in the English style, and a Gothic parapet surrounds a slate roof. The windows are very large, with steel frames, and a fluted frieze is divided bv lozenges. Throughout tho, mouldings ore refined and the treatment pleasing. Unlike the other stations, this one an enameled ceiling. Tf is anticipated that l he City Co"ncil. which will be erecting station* on the same sites, will have them designed nn a plan o'osely in accord with the hnildines described. Messrs Dawc and Willis were the architects. '