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Progress, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 1 December 1917, Page 95

CHRISTCHURCH. Steps are to be taken at once to erect a building to replace Canterbury Hall, Christchurch, destroyed by fire recently. Mr. Walter Puller, of Wellington, manager in New Zealand for Fullers’ Vaudeville, Ltd., who have a ten years’ lease of the property, was present at a meeting of directors of the Hall Company held recently, and placed the views of his firm before the directors. The proposals of the directors include the erection of a new vaudeville theatre, with a seating capacity of about 2,000 people. The stage will be 50 ft. deep—large enough for any theatrical production. The plan of the whole undertaking provides at present, for the erection of a Bijou Theatre to take the place of the. Alexandra Hall and Victoria Hall. It will seat about 800 people, and will be for use for concerts and dances. The offices in the building will also be re-erected on up-to-date lines. It is intended to put the whole work in hand with the least possible delay. Messrs. Ellis and Hall called for tenders for a cottage at Bury Street, Sumner. Messrs. England Bros, called for tenders for a store during the month, and the Education Board called for tenders for a new school in brick at St. Albans.

DUNEDIN.

Permits issued by the City Council for new buildings have somewhat decreased of late although a considerable number of permits have been issued for re-instatements, alterations, and additions to existing premises. Owners being desirous of studying economy in the outlay of money and bearing the discomfort and makeshift that would not possibly be put up with in normal times. Of course we must take into account that there are a number of families of which some have taken up the defence of their country, having left the home, consequently there is .more accommodation left for those remaining. The different trades are fairly well engaged, works in progress being extensive additions to Colombo College for girls—John McGlashan College for boys— Margaret’s College for girls and additions to Girls’ High School. Extensive additions

consisting of Lecture Hall and Swimming pool at the King Edward Technical College. The Pavilion at St. Clair esplanade is now completed and extensive bathing accommodation is under construction at the baths. Extensive alterations and renovations are being carried out on the Grand Hotel, the whole of the Oamaru stone front being cleaned down and coated with stone preservative. By the great efforts of the City Fire Brigade what promised to be a very disastrous fire was arrested in the premises of Thomson and Coy. Cordial manufacturers, the timely save held the fire to one portion which has now been temporarily fixed up and enables the firm to proceed with the contracts to the Government of their famed mineral waters. A more serious fire swept the premises of John Edmonds, Shipchandlers and General Ironmongers, the destruction of their valuable and varied stock must be felt as a direct loss to the building trade when such materials cannot be replaced. Plans and specifications have been prepared by Mr. Basil Hooper, A.E.1.8.A., for electric lighting the new cathedral and tenders were recently called, resulting in that of Messrs. Turnbull and Jones being accepted, for the sum of £1,055. The chief feature of the lighting is in the type of fitting, specified for the nave and aisles. These consist of 16 in. by 14 in. Holoplane glass bowls, with massive bronze moulded rings, relieved with pierced quatrefoils, the whole measuring 26 in. in diameter. The fittings are suspended by 12 chains, meeting at a point, from where the main chain takes the