The Grounds and Building.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2372, 23 October 1880, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Grounds and Building.

The area of the Carlton Gardens, the site of the Exhibition building, is 60 acres, and the structure itself occupies 15 7-10 acres—a larger covered space than that of the great Exhibition of 1851. If the reader will follow our description he will be enabled to form a very fair idea of the appearance and character of the grounds and building. First as to the grounds : Immediately facing the main or southern entrance are two artificial lakes dotted with islets. The larger of these lakes is 200 square feet in extent, the lesser 160 square feet. They present a most enchanting appearance, drooping willows growing on their banks and casting a grateful shade upon their waters. Hard by are some rustic drinking fountains and antiques—bronze _ figures generously lent by French exhibitors —of exquisite art. Then there is a German kiosk, and an Austrian rotunda where the famous beer of that country is sold to the thirsty. Again, there is a building which illustrates the State schools of the colonies, and the interior of which is fitted up with the paraphernalia of free secular and compulsory education. Without _ doubt, this exhibit will receive great attention from Sir John O'Shanassy. Green lawns and slopes, shrubs and trees, tastefully distributed, complete the picture here. Approaching from Nicholson-street, and on our way to the eastern nave, we halt for a moment to regard with unrestrained admiration a most admirable group of bronze statuary, set up by French exhibitors, and illustrative of French taste and art. This work represents a huntsman and his hounds. In every detail it is most admirably natural. We turn to inspect a handsome fountain (French), and another close by of the German stylo of art. Then we come to the great fountain, impelled instinctively by the cool and soothing splash and bubble of water. They who have sat on the banks of some mountain stream, among the ferns and palms which throng the valley through which it glides and bubbles, the silence of the woods only broken by the gurgling of the waters as they rush to their great sea-mother, may remember how soothing was the music, and how gentle the influence of that scene, and how the mind then realised the truth of Shakspeare’s words:— “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Tiuds tongues in trees, hooks in the running brooks. Sermons in stones, and good in everything.” Pausing a moment by this great fountain, which faces the eastern entrance, some such memory may readily be recalled. And if the unapproachable beauties and subtle influences of nature are not here seen and felt, it is impossible to be insensible to the impressions which art has substituted. This work is superb. We do not say that it is emblematic ; so far, it is a failure. But its tasteful design and artistic execution are remarkable. Standing in the square fronting this entrance is a central basin some 60 feet in diameter, rising upwards and forming a bell-like fountain, around which are placed groups of shells, cupids, mermaids, tritons, fisherboys, platypi, and other emblems. The height from the rockery at the foot of this basin is 11 feet. Figures of two mermaids and a merman axe prominent features at its base. Rising from the central basin is an exquisitely moulded figure poising a basin upon its head, 16 feet in diameter. Around the pedestal in the centre are seen figures emblematic of art, industry, commerce, &c. Above is the second basin of 10 feet in diameter, around the sides of which are moulded figures of platypi, from whose duck-like bills innumerable sprays of water are belched forth. Another basin of 6 feet diameter is now seen, upheld most gracefully upon the heavy fronds of a noble fern. The whole is surmounted by a fisherboy, carrying a dish filled with little fishes, from whose mouths issue forth jets of water. At the base, more cherub figures are seen—one being depicted as fishing, another startled at a turtle.

The work is a credit to the artist, Herr Hochgurtel. As we have said, its defect lies in the circumstance that its design is not illustrative of Australia j nor is there anything in this beautiful work to suggest the resources of our water supply. However, it is an admirable achievement. Around and about the building the grounds have been very nicely laid out. Of course, the trees and shrubs are not of a very great size ; but they have been very tastefully distributed, with a result that, in combination with the sweeps of green lawn and grassland, a tout ensemble of very attractive character has been accomplished. The walks have all been asphalted, which we consider to have been a mistake. Yellow gravel would have been much better. Triple-headed lamps have been erected throughout the grounds. The gates of entrance are situated in Nicholson-street, Kathdowne-street, and Carlton-street. Those opening upon Springstreet have been reserved for egress only. And now for the building. The foundation stone of this edifice was laid on the 19tb February, 1879, onwhich occasion Sir George Bowen made his last public appearance prior to his departure for the Mauritius. Mr. Mitchell, the contractor, has since proceeded steadily and expeditiously with the work. The style of architecture is composite—the Italian prevailing. Blue stone has been used for the foundation and cellars; the upper structure being of brick. The former and the main walls are G feet thick ; the rest of the foundation being 3 feet 6 inches through. The main edifice is cuniform, consisting of a nave running from east to west, and cut through the centre by a stately transept, running north and south. At the south end is the chief entrance, 40 feet wide and GO feet high, and approached by a broad flight of steps. On each side of the main portal is a lofty tower. Behind the portico and at the point of intersection of the nave by the transept, rises the dome, which is octagonal in form. At its base, the central tower is 100 feet square. There are three other entrances, each of which is arched and flanked by towers. The building is approached only from the eastern and western entrances. As for the northern portal, it has been destroyed by the construction of temporary annexes in the quadrangle—which is formed by the main building and the annexes devoted to the reception of exhibits of machinery. The nave of the main building within the walls measures 500 feet by 272 feet, and the transept 160 feet by 272 feet. The machinery annexes measure respectively 460 feet by 137 feet 6 inches. Then to each of these is attached a transept of 75 feet.

The dome is a massive and substantial structure, rising, exterior ally, 270 feet from the ground to its summit. A promenade has been built at the j; top of the brickwork 170 feet high, from which a glorious view of the bay, and the surrounding country for fifty miles abroad, may be enjoyed. This promenade is reached by means of a substantial staircase. Access to the lantern at the extreme summit of the dome is obtained by means of steps and ladders. This part, however, is not to be opened to the public. A balcony is built around the interior of the main building, 20 feet in width in the transept, and 30 feet in the nave. A great space has been set apart for the Art Gallery. At the western end of the main building is the gallery in -which the great organ has been placed. This has been made very strong and substantial by the use of iron girders and pillars, instead of the clumsy and unsightly uprights and supports of wood which prevail in all other parts. The instrument has been built by Mr. Fincham, of Richmond, and cost £SOOO. Accommodation is here provided for an orchestra and chorus of 1000 persons. This balcony is 17 feet 6 inches above the main floor. The height from balcony floor to roof is 25 feet.

In the nave, the total height is 70 feet fi’om floor to roof. The interior of the dome rises to a height of 167 feet. There are four pavilions with domed roofs. The aspect of the main building is striking. It is lofty, large, imposing ; but the light is undeniably bad. The architects, in their anxiety to protect the interior from the direct action of the sun’s rays, have overshot the mark, with the result that a mosque-like gloom prevails within. The decorations are atrocious-

The cellars are reached by a flight of broad stone steps, and it is safe to prophecy that this part of the building will become a very popular resort during the hot season. The pillars which support the main floor are of a most massive description. They are of cemented brickwork. All the floors are asphalted, and the light and ventilation are excellent. The basement is devoted to refreshment purposes ; and, as an escape from the close, hot atmosphere of the temporary iron-roofed buildings, they will bo largely patronised. These cellars are reached by light stairs. The temporary erections, that is, those buildings which will be sold and taken down upon the conclusion of the Exhibition season, are in the quadrangle between the annexes. They are divided into 38 courts, a central avenue, 40 feet wide, cutting them into 2 sections of 19 feet each. The outer courts are each of 97 feet 6 inches by 45 feet. Here there are other avenues, each of 17 feet in width. The inner courts are of 82 feet 6 inches by 45 feet. The space occupied by these buildings amounts to 143,000 feet. They are all of wood, and roofed with corrugated iron. At the rear of the building, and facing the grand entrance, is the fernery—an exquisite picture of broad and stately palms, and delicate fern fronds, built up by contributions from the fern valleys of Australia and New Zealand. Looking upon the amazing loveliness of this combination of nature’s most charming productions, one for awhile forgets all else. The noise, the heat, the surroundings of the great industrial bazaar are forgotten, and we are away in the depths of the woods, in the lyre-bird’s haunts, gazing dreamily upon that handiwork which art in vain attempts to copy. The fernery alone is worth travelling a (thousand miles to look upon. To the two principal colonies, Victoria and New South Wales, separate courts have been assigned, and a similar arrangement has been made for the benefit of exhibitors from the chief countries of Europe, and for the United States. The east annexe is divided between Great Britain and Victoria. The west annexe is devoted to machinery exhibits from Germany, Holland, France, United States, New South Wales, South Australia, and New Zealand. Hero, too, are the retiring and dining-rooms ; the firstclass of the latter being to the west of the annexe, the second-class to the east. The main hall naves are devoted to small courts, in which the leading countries exhibit art articles, and so forth. The east nave is given up to France and Italy on the southern side; on the northern, Germany and Great Britain occupy the space. The west nave is devoted to the United States, New South Wales, and India on the south side; on the northern side, the space is occupied wholly by Victoria. The northern transept is devoted to countries whose exhibits are small and comparatively unimportant. Here Russia, Spain, Mauritius, China, and Scandinavia are located.

These, with the space for the organ and orchestra, at the west; end of the nave, cover the whole area of the ground floor of the building. The picture galleries are upstairs. Great Britain, Germany, Trance, Italy, and Belgium are largely represented, as will presently be understood by a perusal of an article dealing with this interesting section of the Exhibition. At the east end of the transept north of the nave is the Garden Court. Here the rotunda is erected, with cool and pleasant retreats from the heat of the annexes and main building, and with refreshment bars for the behoof of thirsty souls. On the west side are the secretary’s and the commissioners’ offices, together with police, post, and telegraph offices, and accommodation for the fire brigade materials. Passing down the main avenue and to the transept, we "See, on the western side, the Courts of Great Britain, Trance, Germany, Italy, and Austria, placed in the order we have given. On the eastern side, are seen the Courts of Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland, Japan, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and the United States, also in the order of our statement. At the rear of the Belgium Court there are small courts devoted to exhibits from Tiji, Jamaica, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, and British Burmah. At the rear of the Swiss and Dutch Courts there is a general bar, and temperance drinks and colonial wines are dispensed at the opposite side of the passage. The exterior of the edifice has been decorated with cement mouldings, divided into bays by buttresses and piers, between which are seen square windows for lighting the ground floor. Above these are panelled decorations and rows of windows for lighting 5 the galleries. Tinally, the whole building is roofed with corrugated iron, and, taking this fact into consideration, with the further circumstance that no efficient system of ventilation has been adopted, we may safely say that perspiration will be the rule among the visitors to the great International Exhibition of Victoria Telix. As any description of so large and intricate a building in words must be inadequate, we refer the reader to the ground plan which appears upon the'first page, which gives a clear idea of the Exhibition as a whole.