Dunedin Cathedral

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 12, 1 August 1917, Page 1042

Dunedin Cathedral

We illustrate in this issue some details of the new cathedral and a general view showing the progress made up to June 20th this year. The latter was taken from the roof of Octagon Hall and shows the aisles completed with their buttresses rising high above the parapets, to form a solid abutment to the feet of the flying buttresses. These bridge over the aisle roofs and take the thrust of the nave vaulting.

a little under sixteen barrels per twenty-four hours, and the lubricating oil consumption low.

“It has been the aim of the promoters of Garden Suburb Development Companies to find a better way of building even the smallest dwelling; and with the object lesson so long disregarded, of the cottages and farmhouses of old England, to try if we in these modern days cannot also build as they did. In any such attempt as this only a partial success can be hoped for under modern conditions.” H. Baillie Scott.

In Fig. 2 is shown a detail of aisle window tracery a special feature being the original design and solid character of the tracery, a contrast to the thin and spidery type usually seen. The £in. wide joints will also accentuate the powerful nature of the masonry. The view shows the springing of the aisle vaulting ribs, the beds being level for about 4 feet, to relieve the thrust, hi Fig. 3 is shown a detail of aisle vaulting ribs which is specially interesting as being almost unique in New Zealand. Notice the slight rise in the ridge ribs, thus forming an arch in their length, and giving strength. As there are no bosses at the intersections of the ribs,

it was not a simple piece of work to join all the ribs, coming together at all angles and all curves, but the finished result is very satisfactory. The sheeting or web of the vaulting lies on the rebate at the backs of the vaulting ribs, and is made as thin as possible to save unnecessary weight, the actual work being done by the ribs.

We are indebted to Mr. Basil B. Hooper, A.R.1.8.A., supervising architect for the cathedral, for the loan of the photographs reproduced herewith.