A SEASIDE RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1720, 10 April 1913, Page 11

A SEASIDE RETREAT

NEW KIOSK AND HALL AT ORIENTAL BAY. _ With an outlook over tho whole of the inner harbour, and ,with the translucent waters of Oriental Bay a biscuit-throw away, the new Oriental Bay Tea Kiosk aud Assembly Hall is a pleasant place. Tho new building, which is large and architecturally pretentious, fills the clelt between the hills where the old kerosene store stijod, at tho terminus of the Oriental Bay tramway. Formerly tho cliffs in that vicinity extended out to the road, and dipped almost sheer into the water, but tho exigencies of reclamation in 'Wellington required their removal, and long beforo tramways for the Bay wero thought of a railway lino ran right round to tho place to convey the spoil back to 'the reclamation. It is in tho recess by the excavation that tho, new kiosk and danco hall has ■ been. erected by a number of enterprising pcoplo, who believe that there is roont for such a place out of tho hurly-burly of tho city. N Tho new kiosk is a brick and' steel structure, presenting a frontage of 93ft. to a terrace overlooking and parallel to the Oriental Bay Road, and having a depth of 51ft. The chief external features, are the great arched, corrugated iron roof (the sky-line of which is broken up with handsome ventilators), and the fine balcony which completely encircles tho entire building. The earthen terrace in front is to be paved, and tho banks turfed, whilst three separate flights of concrete steps will lead from tho, garden entrance to the kiosk. Tho ground floor , will consist of a largo tea and lunchroom 56ft. by 35ft., with retiring rooms for ladies and gentlemen at tho norther» end, and at the rear storerooms, scullery, and a very fine kitchen and bakehouse. Hero is installed an Bft. "Atlas" range, and a proper baker's oven, where bread as well as small goods may bo baked. There are three living rooms for tlio manageress at the southern end of tho building. Tho first floor is gained by a couple of flights of reinforced concrete stairs at the north-western corner of the building. These lead to the ballroom (80ft. by 51ft.). Tlio lofty, arched coiling, the many double French doors and windows, which open on the' balcony, all inako for coolness. Tho floor is of reinforced concrete, but oil top of that a special dancing floor of matai heart, built on springs, is being laid down. There is a level on- ' franco lo the ballroom from Lindum Terrace, aiul an admirable promenade is furnished in the surrouudjng balcony. In order that this may bo utilised in rough or windy weather, tlio front balcony has been glazed-in, but every hero and there is a sash on rollers, which may be opened. The interior of the building is finished in plaster and Keen's cement, and is handsomely decorated with nicelydesigned cornices, tabletures, and centrepieces from tho Carrara Company's works. The building, which is costing about i£GOOO, has been erected by Messrs Howie and Matthews from plans furnished by Mr. James Bonnie. Tho contract includes the erection, across a gully at the back of a high reinforced concrete wall. Tho space at tlio back of the hall is to be filled in, and later the company, which has erected the hall is to offer for sale tho building sections at tlio back, on the top of the hill.