OPENING OF THE NEW OFFICES OF THE "AUCKLAND EVENING STAR."

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 79, 6 December 1884, Page 6

OPENING OF THE NEW OFFICES OF THE "AUCKLAND EVENING STAR."

The completion of the new offices of the Auckland Star, fronting Shortland and Fort-streets, is a red-letter day in the history of the paper. It is now some twelve months since the proprietor decided on the erection of a building which would accommodate under one roof the many departments of the large and daily increasing business that has grown up, Hitherto some of these branches have been carried on in buildings detached from the principal office in Wyndham-Btreet. For many months past workmen have been busily engaged evolving a handsome edifice from chaotic piles of brick and heaps of mortar. Prominent Southern and Australian journalists who have gone over the building pronounce it the largest and best appointed printing office in the Australasian colonies. The designing of the plans 8 for the building was entrusted to Mr W. H . Skinner, architect, of Vulcan Lane. In preparing his design Mr Skinner had to keep steadily in view the peculiar requirements of the case, the essentials being great solidity andstiength, in order that the various floors might sustain the immense weight of printing machines and the heavy apparatus incidental to the unntiug business ; abundance of light, and good ventilation. In a word, the instructions to Mr Skinner were to make the building perfect in a utilitarian s?nso, and afterwards of such a design that its architecture could be pointed to as a credit to the city. By a reference to the lithographic design accompanying this issue, it will be oeen that from an aesthetic point ot riew, the architect ha 3 achieved a genuine success, while the other requirements ha\ o been faithfully achieved.

General Flan of the Building. The general form of the ground plan of the building is like the letter L, the shorter limb of the letter being the Short-land-street frontage, while the end of the longer limb represents the frontage to Fortstreet, rhe building, speaking generally, follows the shape of the allotment, which has a superficial area of 11,350 square feet, and runs through from Shortland-street to Fort-street. The width of the Fort-street frontage is 89 feet 6 inches, and the Short-land-street frontage 3S feet, the depth of the allotment being 157 feet. It would be impossible to find a more suitable site in Auckland for such a business, as it almost adjoins the Chief Post and Telegraph Offices, Customs and other Government offices, and is within two hundred yards of the railway station, principal wharves, shipping, and tramway terminus. Advantages of light and air, so difficult to obtain in the crowded part of the city, are also perfectly secured to the great health and comfort of the employes. The building occupies the whole of this extensive and valuable site, with the exception of a very small portion which forms a quadrangular court-yard. The main business entrance is from Shortland-street. On the Fort-street frontage is situated the publishing office and the entrance to the Lithographic Department. By a passage through the yard and stairs access may also be gained to the Shortland-street end of the building from Fort-street without passing through any of the work-rooms.

Exterior Design. Before proceeding to deal with the internal economy of the building, we address ourselves to describing the architecture of the two facades. The largest and conpequently most imposing frontage is to Fort-street, although the main public entrance and Commercial Department are at the Shortland-street end. In designing the Fort-street fa<;ade, the architect did not adhere closely to the recognised canons of architecture, but evolved a very masterly composite design containing in its constituents some of the best features of the Italian and Grecian orders. The front is four stories high, and is surmounted with an observatory or tower pierced by four bullseye windows, each 6 feet 9 inches in diameter, and topped with a vano of elaborate and appropriate design. The width of the fa<;ade is close on 90 feet. The altitude of the parapet is 61 feet, and of the vane above the observatory 92 feet. In the front there are IS single and seven double windows, while the centre of the basement story if pierced by a covered archway giving vehicles access to the quadrangle or yard. There are also four circular-headed doors affording entrance to the publishing department and other departments facing Fort-street. The windows of the basement story are square-headed, and of rusticated Koman pattern. The architecture of the first story much resembles that of the basement, the main point of difference being the occurrence of Corinthian columns and ° pilasters, surmounted with a rich entablature. The window- are circularheaded, and of an ornamental character. The centre portion of the basement and first stories have a uniform projection of 9 or 10 inches, which has the effect of boldcning the general design, and increasing the effective appearance of t))o whole facade. The ornamental piers flanking this portion of the building also add considerably to the general effect. The windows of the second floor are segment-headed, ornate pilasters and atilted architraves, merging into a plainer facade. The third floor is of somewhat plainer design, the windows being square headed. The°second and third stories are divided hy a rich band of cable work. The pieix ( flanking the outer portions and centre of the front are nicely rusticated, and are set off with Grecian ornamented panels. The whole is surmounted with a heavy bracketed cornice, on which rests a balustrade of Grecian character. From the central por turn of this balustrade the observatory springs in the form of ,a turret — a tower of purely Romanesque design The circular pediment is nappovled by square rusticated cornices and small -columns, the same appearance being ehoun by the four sides of the turret ; each side being lighted by a large circular window of plate glass. From this point of vantage a splendid view of the city and harbour is obtainable, the observer being far atwe the other buildings in the vicinity. The Shortland-etreet front consists of a celZarace basement and three stories, the naturaf slope of the ground from Shortlandstreet to Fort-street predu/Jing the architect from providing for the same number of above-ground iloors on both fronts. Leaving the basement, we will proceed to describe thi* front from the first floor at street Jevel. The architecture of the iApvy is rusticated composite, in keeping with the corresponding portion of the Foii-atreet facade. The centre of the story is pierced by the business entrance— a fine dooi'way act in an alcove, each side of the entrance feeing flanked by Corinthian pillars supporting an ! arcJiof unique design, on the keystone of ■which i« the carved head of a satyr. The doorway ifi approached by a flight of three steps. At each aide of the alcove are large •windows, each 10 teet by 6 feet. Over the door hangs aglobular etaeefclamp glazed with colour*! gjaßSi.and on a. fraud wrand it the

name "Star" appears. In the second floor tho alcove referred to in the description of tho first floor is continued, aid takos the form of a recessed balcony, with ornamental iron railings. At either side of the balcony, and at the back of the recess, are large windows glazed with heavy plate glass. These windows light tho ,1 quarters of the literary stall. The cen tral window is hung on hinges, and through it, access is obtained to the balcony. The quoins on the story resemble panelled pilasters with ornamental capitals, and aie surmounted by a rich Corinthian entablature. l\ie cLcula*' top of the balcony on this story has an excellent effect on the general appearance- of tho frujude. The third or upper story is of a plainer character than the others. It is pieiced by three windows, tho central one being flanked with two sidp lights. The quoins aro panelled with Grecian ornament, and surmounting the whole is a largo Corinthian entablature, above which is a segmented pediment. The central ornament of the pediment is a skeleton "star," the words Evening St ut appearing in gold letters at the base. On cither side of tho central pediment is a balu«trading with pedestals, the latter being capped with tastefully-designed finials. The general eilbot of the front is rich and unique, and from an architectural point of view is one of tho finest in tho city. Both fronts are of cemented brick.

The Public Office. Having thu? finished our description of the external appearance of tho building, we come to desciibo its internal economy For the public, the large commercial ofh'co and editorial rooms fronting Shortland-st. are the place of chief importance. It is hero that advertisements, and printing order* will be received, accounts settled, and from this part of tho building the whole establishment is most easily accessible. The whole of the ceilings are panelled and llutcd, and the cornicos picked out with delicate tints. The dooi\s arc of dark cedar with circular tops, and are hung on Smith's patent hinges, and have handsome handles of ebony and brass. The counter, \\ hichruiih from near the doorway to the partition wall of the job printing room, is very handsome. The top is of polished kauri, whilo the framing of the front is of cedar with kauri panels. Supporting the counter are four heavj' carved kauri trusses. The top of the counter is divided into three compartments — for the receipt of advertisements, printing, and transactions with the cashier. The dividing screens are of cedar and frosted plate glass. At the end of the counter is a panelled screen with j door leading into the accountants' oiKce. Close to the ad\ ertisement-receiver's desk is a small hand lift, by means of which advertisements, telegrams, etc., are sent to the regions above, and " sich a gettin' upstairs'' is avoided. Opposite to the counter is the proprietor's room, 14 feet by 11 feet. The sci - een framing of the proprietor's room is of cedar, and the panels of rosewood, highly polished. The upper portion of the walls of the room are glazed w ith embossed glass. From this room speaking tubes and electric belli communicate with the editor's room, the accountants' oflices, and with the quarters of the heads of the several mechanical departments.

Editorial Rooms. From the public room an exceedingly handsome geometrical staircase lead 1 ? to the quarters oithelitcrary stall above. The handrail is. of moulded cedar, and the balu.-^trad-ing in cast iron of airy design. The righthand side of the second door is occupied by the stair landing and the editor's room, a handsomely-tini.-hed and comtortable room screened off with panels, gkued m ith ground gla&s. To the left hand side of the passage are the quarters of the rank and tile of the literary stall, including the room for the sub-editor— where all copy undergoes supervision, where unintelligible telegrams are made intelligablc, and sucking poets and embryo litterateurs have their hopes dashed to the ground daily. Three elegantly appointed and excellently-lighted reporters' rooms complete the suite. Accommodation is also found here foi the editor of the " New Zealand Fanner, Bee, and Poultry Journal," w ith which is incorporated the "North New Zealand Settler."

The Newspaper Composing Room. On the same floor -with the editorial rooms is situated the news composing room, where the " matter " for the Star is " set up in type." The room is SS feet by 2E feet, and has " frames " for about 30 compositors. The con&tantly-moving hands ol the workmen and the cheerful lattle of the type give animation to the scene, and an idea of the work done in this department may be gained by the knowledge of the fact that for a complete editior of the Stvu upwards of 120,000 words have to be put together, to say nothing' of commas, colons, and other points. The room ij well lighted and cheerful-looking, and to it as to all other departments in the building, i:> attached a lavatory and other necessary office-;. A &hoit flight of steps from the news ptinting-room leads to the quarters o the female compositors— a large, comfort able room overlooking Shortland street, anc occupying the whole of the upper part of th< Shoitland-stieet front.

General Px'inting Department. Taking out ot the public room through a pair of gla-;? door-- a s-horfc flight of stairs leads down into the machine-room on the ground floor, and three or four steps np gi\e entrance to the general printing department. A door opening to the right di.-c!o-es a fliy'nt ol btone steps leading down into the yard^" giving a through passage out to Foit .street. We will describe the ma-chine-room first. It is one of the largest printing-rooms in the colonies ; there is certainly not a larger in Melbourne or Sydney. Its dimensions aie 88 feet by 20 feet, and. ifc occupies the whole of the transept portion of the floor. The machinery comprises a large four feeder Dawson's Whartdale machine, capable of striking oil" 0,000 copies an hour ; a double-feeder by the same maker that will print 3,500 impressions in the hour ; a double royal by Dawson, double demy Whavidale by Payne, double crown by Inglis, double demy by Main, a quadruple news machine by Main, and one "Sun' 1 and two "Universal," platens. Space has been left and every preparation been made for the fixing of a Web machine on its arrival from the makers. The motive power for this array of machinery is a large tubular boiler constructed by Mr Yeoman, of Albertstreet, and 15 horto power engine, capable of working up to 30 h. p., with latest improvement", by Messrs A. and (I. Price, the well-known engineers of the Thames. The machine room is well lighted from the quadrangle by a row of windows,. Ab already biated the basementunderthe Short-land-street lcvelis used for storage. Here also is situated a biick strong room with iron doors. Partitioned off from the general machine-room is the lithographic machine department, which will bo noticed later on. Returning now to the Shortland-street level, and ascending the few steps leading from the public room into the general printing-room, the eye scans extensive shelves of wooden letters of every shape and size. The room is exactly tho same size as the news composing-room above it. It is occupied by some 25 ta 30 compost

tors, and "from early morn till dewy eve " the sharp " click-click " of the type goes on. It is from this department that the many boautiful and chasto specimens of fine art printing emanate, the appliances at hand being of the most modern description, the newest " notions," being obtained three or four times a year from England, Go-many, and America. Invoices, billheads, circulars, programmes, magazines, and a great variety of other printing work, or "composition," as it is technically called, goes on here. For convenionco the roo n, although not partitioned off, has been arranged in three divisions— the poster and bill type being placod near the door, tho book and goneral publishing in tho centre of the room, and the fancy type near the other end. This department and tho machine room are undor the general direction of Mr Barton, who occupies an office near the entrance.

The Lithographic Department, etc. Passing out of the jobbing-room on the Fort- street side, access it gained to tho lithographic department, but this may be the moro readily described by entering from Fort-street, which will be the entrance commonly used by persons wishing to see Mr Schmidt, who has the management of this department. Opening a door in the archway from Fort-street, wo enter a passage which loads _ directly into the lithographic machine- room. Out of this hall a broad staircase ri.sos, in a sorios of (lights, straight up to the tourth story, giving access to all the work-rooms. Along this channel all the employes in tho mechanical departments will enter and leave work. In the lithographic machineroom, No. 1, on the basement floor, are a royal crown litho. machine and a quadruple crown machine. These machines are of the newest and finest description, and capable of performing any litographic printing from the plainest plan to the most gorgeous chromo-lithographs, with clouds of cerulean azure and sunsets like a toper's nose. Asconding the staircases to the first floor, we find it divided into a press-room for the Lithographic Department, designing rooms for lithographers and copper plate engravers and embossers, being occupied by the large job printing-room already described. In the lithographic press-room are the following machines :—: — Large demi-folio steam press capable of printing from a stone 4ft. by _2-Aft., two hand presses, copper-plate press, ink grinding mill, two platens. Connected with this department also is an embossing machine. The designing rooms of Mr Schmidt and his stafF are commodious and well appointed apartments. Many interesting processes are carried on here, including drawing on stone for lithography, either in monotint or in the most elaborate combination of colours ; transfers for photo-lithography, copper plate 3 engraving in all its branches, from door-plates to visiting carJs; ornamental engraving on precious metals. Ascending the second flight of the main staircase, wo reach the western wing of the third story, which is occupied by tho Stationery and Book-binding Departments. Here is a large guillotine cutting machine, drivon by the engine below ; also ruling, numbering, perforating, and other machines. As several thousands of pounds worth of printing paper, &c, is always kept in stock, the space required for storage is considerable. Going up the third flight of stairs, w e enter tho stereo, and electro-typ. ing room, and another largo stationery room. The process of stereotyping is highly interestinsr. and the art is of great utility in connection with the printing trade". A " forme," or page of typo, is sent to the storeotyper who, from it, takes moulds. Into these moulds molten metal is poured, and, presto ! tho s»tereotypcr has before him seven or eight counteifeit presentments of the ono page of type. This multiplying process, of coui&e, saves a great deal of time in machine printing, and also effects a saving ii wear and tear of type. Access to the Observatory it. obtained by means ot a small staiicase leading from this floor. On the eastern side of the building is a large hydraulic lift capable of raising a ton to any of the floors of the building. It was constructed by Messrs A. and G. Price, of the Thames, and performs its work admirably. Thero are tw>-> small hydraulic lifts in other portions ol the building— one for the lithographic department, and another for the job printing and news departments. Built separate from the main building, are brick stores for news-paper wetting and folding-rooms. In the quadrangle is the engine-room, papor and wetting-room, and other oflices connected with the establishment. The large steam ongine is supplemented by a gas engine as a reserve. Every floor is furnished with lavatories and other conveniences for the men.

Publishing Room. We have now described the general plan of the building with only one omission — the publishing, or issuing room. This is a commodious apartment, entering direct from Fort-street — the door for the public — and having .1 second entrance from the archway tor the runners. From this room the publisher will issue nightly an average of 10,000 copies of the Stah, or as many more as a discerning and appreciative public are prepared to buy. The publishing department or a paper v ith the circulation of the Stak is a busy hive of industry. It is one of the sights of Auckland to see the crowds around the odice at publishing time. Then the bustle inside, getting away papers for steamers, 'buses, trains, and tram-cars, which have to be "caught" that is, immense bundles of papers must be forwarded to their destinations at fixed times ; and as the "hours" of these vehicular transmitters of our broadsheet follow fast on one another, there is no time to be wasted. Then runners must be served, hundreds of pennies taken for separate copies, copies for subscribers addressed and folded : and bo the work of tho publication goes on, from half past three in the afternoon till the town clock chimes the witching hour of 8 p.m., while the great machine immediately behind the publishing room, crashing and quivering, and laying out the broad sheets with its four arms, plays an appropriate accompaniment of monotonous music to the bustle and whirl.

The Contractors. Tho contractors for the building were Messrs VV. Philcox and Son. Mr Philcox may add the new Star offices to the long list of successes which have marked his career as a builder in Auckland. Some of the handsomest edifices in tho city have risen under his hands. The decorations ware executed by Mr J. Henderson, and are models of artistic elegance and skill ; tho gas fittings, speaking tubes, etc., were supplied by Messrs Branston and Foster and the Auckland Gas Company. Messrs McCoskrio and Son carried out the work of removing and re-erecting tho machinery, and it is by their skill ard energy in keeping the engineers and fitters working night and day that wo have beon able to effect the transfer with so little inconvenience to our readers and the work of the oflice. Some little dolay may yet be caused until the whole of the machinery is transferred, and we shall have to claim tho indulgence of oul*

customers for a week or two longer. The shafting was supplied by Messrs Fraser and Tinne, and Price Brothers, of rhe Thames. The plans for the boiler and engines, and the arrangements of the machine-room, were designed by Mr J. Edwards and carried out under his personal supervision. All the contracts have bean executed in a manner that reflects credit upon everybody engaged in the work.