THE PRIDE OF OTTAWA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1916, Page 3

THE PRIDE OF OTTAWA.

MAGNIFICENCE OF PARLIAMENT HILL. THE DESTROYED BUILDINGS. In Canada, where the American influence in architecture has been of late more and more marked, the Dominion Parliament Buildings were unique for symmetry and grandeur of style. They formed an imposing group on the comnianding eminence of Parliament Hill, rising 150 feet sheer from tlie Ottawa River on the one side, and the other sloping gradually to the level of the city. Viewed from either side, the architectural crown of the Canadian capital could not fail to impress the visitor. The northern bank of the river is not so precipitous, and it is from this part of tlie city, largely a French suarter, that the most supurb view was obtainable. On the other side, wide sloping lawns served to set off the massive stone structure. The Parliament Buildings were in three blocks, forming three sides of a quadrangle. The eastern and western blocks, which apparently have been saved, were devoted to departments of tlie Dominion Government. The central building, accommodating both Houses of Parliament, was in the Gothic stylo. The main front had a length of 470 feet, and was 40 feet high. Most imposing was the main entrance, in the form of. an elaborate portico, opening 011 to a wide terrace, and surmounted by the Victoria Tower, ISO feet in height. The building was remarkable for the interior arrangements. The Chamber of the Lower House was roomy, surrounded by spacious galleries, with high windows of the accepted Gothic design. A feature was tlie artificial lighting, which was arranged above a ground glass ceiling, go' that 110 direct Jight tired the eyes, a soft white light being diffused over the whole Chamber. Ministerial rooms and lobbies were many and spacious, and there, was also provision of a separate private office for each three or four members of the House. On the upper floors were the large dining rooms, club rooms, and card rooms, the domain of Bellamy, on a scale that would cause the New Zea l laud Parliamentarian to become green with envy. The corner stone of the main building was laid by the then Prince of Wales in ISfiO, so that the edifice can claim (for a Dominion building) some antiquity. The other blocks are of later date, hut are quite in architectural accord with the main structure.

If the view's of Parliament Buildings were impressive, tlie outlook from the building itself was magnificent. Planted grounds and a broad river were to be seen, with distant views of tlie Chateau Laurier (Grand Trunk Railway Hotel) and the Union Railway Station. The library building, which would appear to have suffered also, stood at the back, hut connected with the main Parliament Building. Tt was an admirably proportioned polygonal hall, 90 feet in diameter, and as a library wan the pride of the Dominion. Abutting on the main hall were well-stocked newspaper and reading rooms; but it was the reference library that was most 'remarkable. Of ample dimensions, and rising to a great height, it bore round its walls, almost to the height of the ceiling, well-filled bookshelves. Access to the upper tiers was gained by circular galleries.