THE PAPANUI TOWN HALL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2137, 30 December 1880, Page 3

THE PAPANUI TOWN HALL.

For some time past, the want of a public building has been keenly felt in Papanui, owing to the increase in population and growing importance of the place. With this end, a company was formed for the erection of a Town Hall, and the result has been the placing on a very good site of a building which would do no discredit even to Christchurch. As already announced, it will be opened in an informal manner on New Year’s Day, the grand opening taking place on the return of Mr John T. Matson from his Australian trip, when it is intended to combine a welcome to him with a recognition of hie many services towards the advancement of Papanui. The building now being so near completion, a brief description of it may not prove uninteresting. The hall, with which it may be stated is also combined two very handsome shops, with living rooms, &0., perfectly disconnected (though under the same roof) from the hall, fronts on the North road, and has a very pretty elevation, being 33ft from base to parapet. Taking the hall proper first, entrance is gained by a pair of doors leading into a passage Bft Gin wide and 27ft long. On the right hand side is a ladies’ cloak room 7£t Gin by lift, and on the left the etairs by which access is obtained to tha_ gaUory. At the end of the entrance passage is the door to the hall proper, which will be half glass, frosted, having a ticket office on the loft hand side. The gallery itself is 32ft by 9ft, and the height from the floor of the hall to the top of the balcony rail is 13ft. It is supported by iron pillars, and the floor is raised in three steps. The front is ornamented with_ circles having scarlet cloth under. The hall itself is GOft x 32ft in the clear, the height being 22ft Gin from floor to coiling. Tim coiling is coved, and has two large ventilating trunks running through from front to back, with ornamental apertures the length of the hall. The ceiling is supported by bold pilasters, relieved above by a heavy cornice. The room is lighted by a very pretty sunlight with enamelled surface, the colours being lavender and white, and on each side of the sunlight are ornamental flower centres ; a dado stained and varnished 4ft high runs round the room. The etage, which is at the south end of the hall, is 4ft high from the floor of the building, 20ft Gin deep and 32ft. wide. It is well fitted with scenery, &c., has patent float footlights, and generally has been carefully planned. On the eastern side are two entrances, one with double doors, being the entrance to the stalls, and also communicating with the stage by means of a small staircase. The other leads into the supper room at the back, which is 36 i 14 and 13ft high in the clear. At this entrance is also a small ante-room. On the western side is another entrance communicating by a side door with the hall, and also leading by a 4ft passage to the supper room. On the stage are two commodious dressing • rooms, each 10ft 7in. The proscenium front is plastered, and is j.Gft Gin wide and 12ft high. The lighting on the stage, exclusive of the footlights, is by two rows of border lights, and the whole of' the gas arrangements of the building, exclusive of the shops, are controlled by taps in the prompt entrance. The shops in the front are each 14 x 17 and 13ft high. At the back of each is a kitchen 10ft Gin x 12ft Gin, with staircases communicating with the upper floor, on which there are a parlour and two bedrooms attached to each shop. The parlours are 14 il7 each, and the bedrooms nioe handy-sized rooms. The ventilating arrangements throughout are very complete, as, in addition to the ventilating trunks already spoken of, there are side-wall ventilators all round the building. Taken aa a whole, the building is a credit to the district, and the work has been carried out in a thoroughly substantial manner. It may bo noted here that it is plastered throughout. The architect is Mr A. W. Simpson, the contractor being Mr Jamieson.