DUNEDIN IMPROVEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 610, 2 June 1876, Page 3

DUNEDIN IMPROVEMENTS.

The*New Knox Church. The Guardian says : 41 The new Knox Church, at the corner of Pitt and George streets, which has just been oompleted, is another addition to the many handsome and substantial churches that Dunedin can boast of. The old Knox Church, which is situated in King street, has long been found too small for the large and increasing congregation of that neighbourhood. In the new buildiDg however Dr Stuart will have a church capable of accommodating sitting room for about 1100 persons. The church, looking at it in an architectural point of view, is the handsomest in Dunedin. The internal fittings and designs are very tasteful and pretty. The spire, which is 165 ft high, is in perfect unison with the rest of the building, and can be seen from any part of Dunedin. At the top of the spire an ornamental finial has been/attached, which give a more finished appearance. A largi number of persons have already inspected the inside of the church, and nearly all remark that it's the prettiest- one. in Dunelin. The general appearance of the building will of course be much -improved when the rubbish and loose scaffolds are removed, and the grounds laid - out. We understand that an ornamental iron fence will surround the grounds, which will add greatly to the appearance of the building. The church was first commenced in the month of April, 1874, by Mr D.'M'Gill, who contracted only for the foundation and basement work. This was oompleted in six months' time, when the remaining portion of the contract was taken in hand by Mr W. Mercer, who has faithfully performed his work. The architect was Mr B. A. Lawson, of this city. The following are a few particulars regarding the dimensions of the interior of the building —Length of the nave, 97ft ; width, 46 feet. The transept measures 70ft by 36ft. At the intersection of the nave and transept, the roof bearings are carried on four iron columns to the walls, and at this point they are splained into octagonal form, which has a prettier appearance than if the walls had been square all the way up. The interior is Bo constructed that the pulpit can be seen from any part. The height of the building from the floor to the roof of the nave is 66ft, and 58ft in the transept. The whole of the floor from the line of the choir seats towards the south end is on a slight incline. The principal entrance is from George street, by a handsome flight of stone steps. Adjoining the ppire on the left of the entrance hall is the principal staircase to the gallery. On the right hand side of the hall is a commodious waiting-room and cloak-room. The sitting accommodation on the main floor is divided into four divisions, • and will comfortably seat 800 persons, allowing a space of 21 in for each individual. The gallerj wi'l seat another 350. The second entrance, at Pitt street, also has a staircase from the hall to the gallery. At the north end of the building another dooi has been built, thus affording ample means of ingress and egress without the inconvenience of a crush. The pulpit will be on a platform at the north end of the nave, and partially recessed, the entrance being from i waiting-ioom or the vestry—one being situated on either side. Round the pulpit frame - there will be a handsomelj caTved arcade railing, with anglec buttresses and flnials, in front o which the seats for the choir wil be arranged. The railing here will be o the sam? description as that round the pul pit, with a fretwo k finish. The front of th gallery is constructed of Colonial white an< red pine timber, which is polished and var nished. All the woodwork about the in teiior of the roof is also polished, and pre

gents a very pretty appearance—in fact, those, who have seen the interior of the church pronouuen it to be the prettiest in Now Zealand. The stylo of architecture both inside and out i;i known, as the thirteenth-century Gothic. The stone used isi from the Water-of-Leiih Valley, but the Oamiru freestone has been freely used as facing. Not the least noticeable part of the church are the very handsome stained glass windows. The staircase and railing leading to the gallery is also very pretty, and is in the Gothic style. Some of the plastering work is also worth noticing, especially above the entrance from the staircase. The ventilation and lighting of the building have had special attention bestowed unon them. In the centre of the building are two large and elegant sunlights, each having fifty burners ; besides these there are a number of bracket lights. The cosh of the whole building will be about £15,000. It is expected that the church will be opened in about two months. Mr Gore, who has the contract for the seats, is having them fiuished as_ speedily as possible. These for the most part will be made of kauri, polished and varnished.

New Buildings.

The Daily Times says : "We believe that several of the old buildings in Princes street, opposite the Provincial Government buildings, will ere long be replaced by a large and substantial block of buildings, four storeys high. The enterprise of some of the leading members of the mercantile community, accelerated in many cases by the old buildings having in times past been burned down, has already considerably improved our street architecture, and we are therefore glad to learn that arrangements are pending whereby the handsome buildings herein alluded to will take the place of others which, most people will admit, are scarcely in keeping with the times or the appearance which our leading street ought to present. Speaking of new buildings, it may also be added that Mr P. C. Neill proposes to erect new premises, five storeys high, on the site of Mr Brown's old flour mill in Bond street.

" We yesterday had the opportunity of inspecting the plans of Messrs Kempthorne and Prosser's new premises, which are about to be erected in Dowling street, nearly opposite Messrs Sargood and C'o's new warehouse. They will be three storeys in height, the first of which will be composed of stone acd the others of brick. The ground floor, which will contain two suites of offices fronting Dowling street, together with a strong room, is 15ffc 6iu high. At the rear of the offices is a double spiral staircase of a somewhat remarkable construction, and beyond it are three storerooms, two of which are 60ft by 23ffc, and the other 52ft by 20ft. The first and second floors contain each twenty-eight offices and four strong rooms, with lavatories and other conveniences. The main entrance to the building is 13ft wide, and leads back between the two ' suites of offices on the ground floor to the staircase above alluded to. The building, will be 110 ft long, 72ft wide, and 55ft high from the pavement to the top of the parapet, The upper part of the front of the building will be cemented, and from what we have seen of its elevation, it promises to be a very handsome addition to the architecture of the city.