NEW BUILDINGS AT CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 648, 18 September 1874, Page 3

NEW BUILDINGS AT CROMWELL.

o THE ATHKNJEUM. This large building is now getting towards completion, and will bear a favorable comparison with any similar structure in older and more advanced towns. It is built of stone, procured in the immediate neighborhood, and is 60ft. x 36ft., and the walls are 18ft. high. The roof is covered with iron, and supported by four principals after the style known as the King Post, and are lift, x 3Jft. Sevenpurlinos, Tit. x3ft„ run the whole length of the building, to which the roof iron is fastened. The principals are very strong, being strutted, and secured with iron tie bolts and key straps. The flooring throughout is of 6 x 1J tongued and grooved Scotch wrought, which is laid upon joists 7x2, and 1 Gin. apart, supported on dwarf walls which course the entire length of the building, according to the plans. A stage of lift, x 32ft. is to be erected, to which ingress and egress is to bo obtained by two side doors opening into anti-rooms, to be erected at some future time. Entrance is gained from Sligo street, by a door* sft. x Sft., of Baltic pine, with folding leaves, above which is a fanlight, sft. x Sft. There are two front windows, 7ft. x 3in., of plate glass ; and on the north side there are five windows of the same dimensions. There are two fire-places in the Hall, one on each side, and the chimneys are finished off with ornamental mantlepieces and cement hearths. A reading-room, on the south side is to be built as a wing, to which entrance is from the hall and from Melmore street, down a fight of steps below the level of the hall floor, which is 22ft. x 25ft., with fire-place, &c. The ceiling of the hall is in the form of an eliptic arch, covered with {in. tongued and grooved and beaded lining laid longitudinally to the curve, which contains five circular ventilatois of Sft. x 6ft. diameter, and finished with ornamental borderings. AVhile on this subject we may say that the ▼entilation is complete, having in addition thpee roof ventilators, independent of a gable one, which is made to swing. The walls of the hall are to be lined to tbo height of 4ft. from the floor with Jin. headed stuff, and fixed to three battens securely plugged to the wall, and finished on the

top with moulded coping. The openings ere to he finished with Gin. architraves. The walls are to he plastered white. The comice projects 15in., and is a very rich design. The front elevation from Sligo street will have an imposing appearance, having four pilasters, with basis and Capitols supporting an entablature; above which is a blocking course and heavy cornice, surmounted by a parapet wall of sft. in the centre, with scrolls. The doors and windows will be finished with caps and trusses, and has a great resemblance to the Italian style. The front elevation from Melmore Terrace far surpasses the other in grandeur, having four pillars, to be finished with lonic capitols, supporting a fancyworked entablature and comice, crowned by a balustrade with corner fannels carved on the top. Entering from MelmoreTerrace to the reading-room there is a flight of six steps to ascend. The hand-rail finishes into two massive pillars, bearing two suitable figures on top. There are are two windows, and the whole of both fronts will be plastered with Portland cement. The ridging, guttering, and flashing are all done with lead, and the timber, with the exception of the floor, celling, doors, and window-finish-ings, are of the best native red birch and totara, obtainable at the Wan aka saw-mills. The work so far is highly creditable, the masonry being of the nil b’.e clean-pointed class ; and, considering the frosty weather tiiat had to be contended against it is evident that there was no sparing of lime in the mortar. We went carefully over the building, and to us the whole of the work appears to be efficiently performed, and redacts the highest credit upon the contractor, Mr Win, Grant, who expects to finish IPs entire contract in about three weeks. We reserve further comment until the opening of the Hall. CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The site selected for this building is on the flat, about three hundred yards to the right of the Court-house, and commands a good view. The contractor, Mr James Taylor, is making rapid headway, and when the work is completed we purpose giving a detailed account; and, judging from that already done, it will be a very pretty structure. The stone is now on the ground, and the entire completion of the building may be looked for in a couple of months. The contract price is about £OSO.