MR. T. E. R. BLOOMFIELD’S RESIDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1298, 17 March 1883, Page 2

MR. T. E. R. BLOOMFIELD’S RESIDENCE.

Built upon a choice portion of the Arai, a mansion, unequalled in the Bay, if in New Zealand, has been erected by Mr W. O. Skeet, to the order of T. E. R. Bloomfield, Esq. Of course, at present, the grounds and approaches are not sufficiently advanced to report upon, but on Thursday we had the pleasure of going through the building, which is creditable to all connected with it—the owner for the taste and liberality he has <lis- , played ; the architect, Mr Finneran, for his admirable design ; the builder for the faithi ful manner in which the work has been cartied out; and Messrs Houghton and Hall for the skilful execution of the painting and . paperhanging. Wejwill now proceed, having i said so much, to give a description of the building. On arrival, w’e stepped upon a , grand verandah which extends round the sides of the house, and here we met Mr Skeet who very courteously escorted us, and gave , us the following particulars. The verandah extends 190 feet, and is Bft. wide; the pillars being topped with ornamental carvings. The entrance, or hall, is 8 x 33, at the end of 1 which are spring doors with stained glass. | On the left is the dining-rcom, 25 x 18, most ! tastefully papered. There is here a grate , surmounted with a magnificent marble i mantlepiece, handsomely carved. The room 1 is lighted by two large windows facing the front, and a bay window at the side. On the right is a similar room, the drawing-room; i the only difference being that the marbel j mantelpiece here is almost pure white. In ' both of these rooms the space between the • grate and the fender is inlaid with encostic > tiles. Pursuing our way we were shown into ; the breakfast-room on the left, 19 x 15; opj posite which is a morning-room, 19 x 14. Rc-crossing the hall is the library, 17 x 12. . Then comes the kitchen, which is large and •’ roomy, fitted with a splendid range and a I high-pressure boiler. Adjoining is the sculj lery with sinks, etc., in fact with every I known convenience. There is also a back 1 verandah, on which is fitted a patent double- : action force pump, which from a concrete cistern capable of holding 5000 gallons which | will supplthe building with water, and also j a fountain in the garden to be formed in front. | The water will be pumped into an 800 gallon ' tank in the turret, the elevation of which is 1 forty-five feet, and it is from this the water 1 will be laid on. Under the staircase leading to the upper storey, there is a cellar (the di- i mensions of which we neglected to obtain. : Immediately above is the pantry, fitted with shelves, and everything else necessary ; and adjoining is the bath-room. On ascending the staircase, we were taken on to the balcony which is of the same size as the verandah ; the pillars are handsomely ornamented, and the railing of particularly ! neat design. On ’the right and left arc two ! large bedrooms, each 24 x 18. There is at j the back of the one on the right hand a dres-sing-room, 19 x 13, which has in it a large wardrobe fully twelve feet in length. There are three additional bedrooms, 19 x 13, and at the top of the landing a smoking-room. The servants’ bedrooms, of which there are two, are 11 x 7 and 10 x 12 respectively. Near these is also the linen closet, fitted with every requisite. Ascending another stair, we came to the tower which has a balcony on the four side. A most extensive view is obtained from these vantage points, and will, no doubt, be much used by Mr Bloomfield and his guests, Descending again, we were shown a most convenient wash-house and i coalshed, and a large and well-ventilated | stable. The latter is 36 x 39. with a Kift. 1 stud, and fitted up with loose boxes, stalls, etc., and a saddle room. Then there is the coach-house, harness room, and grooms sleeping apartment. When the grounds arc put in ! order, and the building completed, it would well compensate anyone to visit the Arai in order to see the beauties of the structure and the taste which has been exhibited in the design. W’e hope that Mr Bloomfield may live long to enjoy his magnificent residence, and that he will in the distant future have around him a group of little ones who will ; the walls resound with cheery shouts. 1