RECHERCHE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 820, 18 May 1910, Page 6

RECHERCHE.

' h- '■ NEW VICE-REGAL FURNITURE. WHAT WILL IT COST? Many would be interested to learn how much it will cost to furnish the new Vice-Regal residence at Mount View. For various reasons, however, it would appear that only a guess can be ma<!« al the amount. Recently tenders closed for certain contracts which should run into about JiUOOO, but oitly a proportion of the furniture and furnishings require:! is represented by these. In addition much of the furniture which was used in the former Viee-Hegal residence wall bo transferred to the :is\v building, ln-sidas which, to further complicate matters, the Governor himself provides a good deal towards the complete menage,-.maybe running into well over four figures. It will i-Ho be remembered that somo time ago the Government announced that the furniture for tlio Ihren principal rooms would be obtained at Home. If all the furniture had to be purchased the total cost would, therefore, aggregate between .£IOOO aud JL'aOOO. A glance at the specifications of the furniture which is to to made in the Dominion will show that the principal articles are required to be. manufactured of imported woods. In view of tlie adaptability of rimu and kauri for highclass work of the kind this will naturally occasion some disappointment. The decision of the Government, in this regard is hard to understand when it is remembered that on various occasions sample? of Xoiv Zealand woods havo been displayed at different exhibitions, and their merits for cabinet-making -purposes highly extolled. Iu this connection it may be of interest to record that inquiry I amung -business people shows that the slocks of the more' valuable Home timI berg ia the Dominion are not at all large. I The cou-tracfors for tlie work (rt i>, my>I dsTstood) include furniture-makers in each of the four centres, Wellington being represented by all the big firms in that line. As the contracts havo to bo completed within six weeks of the date of the acceptance, it will - thus be seen that there will be a busy time ahead for the furniture workers in the centres in which the successful tenderers conduct their biisine=s. On more than one occasion it lias been officially stated that none of the articles are to be imported, but the specifications do not make this clear, for tliey» stale: "The extent of contrac! includes the supply and delivery in good condition at the rcsidence,of the various articles, etc." Of course, a stipulation to that effect may be provided iu tlie conditions of coutrvcl. It may bo of interest to give an outline of some of the furniture which is required. For the iliniug-rooni there is needed a sideboard 10ft. long, with bank not above Cft. in height; price not to n.xcecd £W. Item Xo. 2 is a sideboard or buffet, about Bft. long, low back, or not above sft. iu height, with provisiou for holding leaves of dining extension table; price not to exceed .£(io. Another requirement for this room is a dining extension-table, ahout 10ft. long by 6ft. wide, capable of extension, and provided with leaves for a total length of 30ft.; the ends of table to be semicircular, and the price not to exceed ,£6O. The other articles for this apartment 1 comprise three dozen chairs, high backs, with dark red leather backs and seats, having the Eoyal monogram and crown over stamped in gold- on backs; price not to exceed J-'o each. A note under this heading is to the effect that tho articles are to bo made of British oak, I'uincd and irax finished, but tenderers may submit prices for other suitable hardwoud at their discretion. Tho Adams or Sheraton styles of furniture will bo preferred for tho draw-ing-rooms. Mahogany, satin-wood, or other similar high-class ivooel, without painted ornament, must be used, but inlays are admissible. It includes a bookcase, suitable, also as a chiuu cupboard, about 7ft. long, and of tho value of ,£35; a bureau bookcase, worth .£25, and two china cupboards, not exceeding in price ' ,£ls each:"'.Other items for these rooms are: Eighteen chairs, worth from"iS.l" 15s. "to ,£5 55.; six occasional tables, £5 each; 3 settees, £15 each; lady's writing pedestal table, JUO; 6 stands for palms or larger flower pots, .£2 each; 2 fire-screens, £3 each; 4 ornamental screens, .£6 each; and 2oval mirrors, &1 each. As regards the hall, Ihe furniture, required is not to exceed £70. The stylo of Louis XVI is preferred in connection with the articles for il lady's boudoir, which are to bo made in mahogany, rosewood, walnut, or other improved polished hardwood, and not to cost more thau .EGO. For the ballroom chairs and armchairs, worth JSCS, are needed, including 2 large armchairs for dais in Empire or other suitable style, ivhite and gold for the Governor anil his wife, and, in addition, stands and mirrors of the value of «£GG. In. all, £175 is allowed in connection with the furnishing of the best bedroom, and 2 dressing-rooms adjoining. Then follow specifications of a host of other articles-' of furniture and furnishings. For different bedrooms the following sums are allowed:—Two at i£Bs; one at fS\o, and- one at .CCO. For the kitchen: Two dressers, each about 15ft. by 3ft., of wrought kauri, are needed, also a kitchen table, 10ft. long by 4ft. broad. Carpets, blinds, curtains, and poles, etc., running into several hundreds, are then scheduled. Other rooms for which articles am required, include still-room, pantry, butler's room, plate room, and senllery, and they must be manufactured of clean wrought, thoroughly seasoned kauri. In addition, tenlors are invited for n number of mantelpieces, besides 34 grates of a total value of .£213.