Our Diocesan Architect

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 48, 4 October 1884, Page 3

Our Diocesan Architect

We make the following extract from the July number of the Church Messenger, published in Nelson :— Since the paper by Mr Clere was published, the Bishop of Nelson has had the opportunity of verifying for 'himself some of his statements by actual observations, and of seeing how Mr Here has carried out his principles where he had unfettered opportunity. The Bishop pointed out out one or two apparent anomalies, and it was singular that in most cases they were owing to a departure from the appointed plan on the part of the con tractor or committee. The general outline of what is called on its photograph " the English Church," Feilding, is exceedingly good, and reminds one at once of well-known and time-honoured forms in the Mother Countiy. With regard to pointed windows, we quite endorse Mr Clere's views, and would refer to a very successful treatment of wooden windows by the late Mr Beatson in the little Church of St. Andrew, Whakapuaka. The timbers of Feilding Church are rather too light, especially the pillars, but this is easily remediable in a new design. We congratulate the Diocese of Wellington on having so good and conscientious an architect, and one who takes an enthusiastic interest in his profession and the structures with which he is entrusted. He is aware that the subject of external wood building in Nev? Zealand is a novel oho, and ia not above taking suggestions which the experience of I he last 30 years of New Zealand wood building is calculated to give. The Bishop was very pleased with JohnBonville Church and before he knew who was the architect, conjectured it would be by Mr Clere, as it illustrated many of the principles laid down by him in his paper printed in the May Church Messenger.