CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2604, 11 August 1882, Page 4

CANTERBURY COLLEGE.

THE NEW HALE. The new hall of Canterbury College is fast approaching completion, and will, it is expected, be out of the contractor's hands in the early part of the ensuing week. The want of such an addition to the College proper has been long felt, seeing that hitherto for all the larger and more important gatherings of the College and University, viz., the periodical examinations for honors and conferring degrees, recourse has been had to the Provincial Council Chamber. The dimensions of the hall are, 80ft in length by 38it in width, whilst the height from the floor to the centre of tho domed ceiling is 48£t. On its western side are six windows, which are deeply recessed, thus forming six bays three (eet in depth; the thickness of ths walls in the piers between each window being 6ft Sin. The dado, which is carried out around the cast, west, and north walls of the hall, is Bft 6in in height, is formed of alternate panels of kanri and rimo, and is surmounted by an fiolaid band of lozenge, in which honeysuckle, totara, and black pine are alternately let in on a kauri background, ornamented by string courses above and below, presenting an excellent effect. Above the dado is a space about eighteen inches in height, which is subdivided at intervals by slender pillars of white stone into recessed spaces, whore from time to time tablets will ufiA placed commemorative of the distinctions gained by eminent Canterbury Collegians. Che dado is also continued at the south end of the hall, behind the dais. Above (his rises a band of white stone, which on the northern end and western side of the ball forms the sill, which is perforated in each window bay for three valves, which are worked by a very simple contrivance for purposes of ventilation. The interior walls are lined with worked ashlar, surmounted by an elaborate stone cornice. Seven principals, each formed of two strong pieces of timber, are provided on each side, and constructed on the hammer beam principle. These are supported by carved brackets, which rest on ornamented stone corbels. Beneath these corbels stone brackets aro provided, on whioh it is intended to place busts of Old World classical writers beneath each of which is a panel, to be emblazoned with a veoCTd of tho works of the author thus represented. The spaces between the principals and the walls are divided into coffers, rising into pierced eoffats, by wbi.’h means the foul air generated in tho hall is conducted in o shafts. The oen ral ceiling may be best described when it >a stated that the same style has been adopted as is used in the Provincial Council Chamber already referred to, and whioh is described in common parlance as the “ridge and valley” principle, in which the colors are prettily alternated in kauri and rimu’j each four sections of whioh are divided by panelling pierced for ventilation, whore the foul air is collected into a box at each division and conducted to the main ventilating shaft, and thenoe to the ornamental outlet at the south end of the roof. The fireplace is flanked on either side by triple columns on hard stone bases, terminating in carved capitals. The massive projection of stone work over the hearth tapers off by a series of weatherings, ofoovo wnioh the flue rises, supported on either side by columns with foliated capitals, which terminate near the cornice. The |amhs are of hard stone, intertilled with glazed tiles of various geometrical patterns. At ths south end of the hall a dais, lift in depth, and running its entire width, is provided. Above this is a gallery, presenting an Opening of 20ft with a depth of 9ft, the dome above which terminates in carved brackets with pierced and moulded panels, in the front of a gradually rising floor. In addition to tho west windows already referred to, whioh are each divided by stone mullions, -mOSir be mentioned tho magnificent north window, whioh is pierced for five lights. Above all those are circular lights, the glass used being rough cathedral glass of two colors, worked [to geometrical patterns from the architect’s design by Messrs Taylor and Oakley. The main entrance is from the oast aide, through two ewing doors, Bft in width, and 9ft in height, surmounted by three lights in queried stoppings. Access it gained to turret and gallery by a winding stair, in which Hoon Hay stone has been utilised, whilst the stone used in tho ball has been the two shades of Oataarn stone, and also, as sued in tho museum, with plinths of hard grey atone from the Port Hill quarries. The roof is of slate of two colors, geometrically arranged, with ridging of Canterbury made tiles. The buttresses are flattened somewhat after the early Norman period of architecture. The appearance of the hall generally leads to the conclusion that nothing has been omitted that can conduce to comfort end stability, The design gonera'ly followed has been Gothic, without the clerically pointed style, and reflects every credit on Mr B. W. Monntfort, the architect. The contractors are Messrs England and Martin, Mr George Slndlay being the contractor for the stone work, whilst Mr Anthony has acted as clerk cf the works.