THE IMPERIAL OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5034, 2 May 1878, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL OPERA HOUSE.

-. .Last-night the Imperial Opera-House was lit up iu order to test the effect of gas-light ou the .scenery and.-the--house generally. The directors and a few' shareholders were present, but many people who were anxious to obtain entrance were unable to do so, as it had been agreed not to admit the public. The appearance of the house when the numerous gasjets, were.lighted" was exceedingly pretty, the whole of the interior. harmonising very well, and the scenery showed to great-advantage. The drop-aceue looked, particularly well ; but as ,we recently gave a detailed description of this, as well as of the house generally, a passing word must suffice.

’ The arrangements for lighting the house appear to be complete and well designed. They have,been carried put by Mr. Hayes, of Lamb-tou-quay, in whose workshop all the brackets and pendants were- manufactured. Many of these a're! massive and of elegant ■ form. . In 1 the centre of! the dome there is ona of Strodes’ patent sunlights, having sixty-three burners, and fitted with double ventilating tubes, and a patent ventilating cap on the top. The dress-circle is lighted by seven, burners bn handsome brackets, and the pit and private boxes are illuminated in the same way. The footlights are placed in a sunk well, which prevents them being seen by the "audience, and: the flies: are lit: by five rows of gas jets placed under 1 reflecting shades, ‘ each " row having 22 burners. .'AH. the dressing-rooms,. ■ the ! -ladies’ r: cloak-room,, L ‘ " lavatories, &0., have .gas fittings. ,The ,large saloon up-; stairs- has.-: been ■furnished" with threeelegant glass gasaliers ; but they were not used; last evening. - There is" an ingenious contrivance applied to the various, pipes which lead to the different parts of the, building, by which, in the event of the gas being turned down quickly, it will not be wholly cut off, a supply by a’very small-pipe being sufficient to give-a glimmer.- Care has been taken to make provision -for a :, gbbd ; -supply of water In the event of fire. Sixteen hoses, ready for use, are kept iu various- parts of" the house, and they are so distributed that every corner bah = be played upon by at least one jet of water. "