Old Hong Kong-5 — Page 265

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

COURTS(15) Continuation.

26-4

the Government of Great Britain, and the work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Foster, A.R.I.B.A., of the Public Works Department. The style that has been adopted is, as might be expected, purely classic in feeling following the English School and with details of a Greek character. The pile will form not only one of the largest but one of the finest erections in the Colony, the beauty and skill portrayed in the design being far in advance of anything to which we have been accustomed.

"The principal elevation of the structure will face towards the west, and will consist of a single ionic order some fifty-five feet in height, forming fifteen bays with attached columns and square angle piers. The piers are inter-connected by set... circular arches supporting the floors of the colonnade over the ornamental balustrades and moulded copings, all in granite. Between the piers and the main walls on the ground floor is a wide colonnade entirely surrounding the building except for a small portion on the east side. This colonnade is spanned by a series of semi-circular arches which support the walls and floor above. The upper colonnade runs round the greater part of the first floor above which is a balcony to the second floor, access to both being afforded by folding casement doors. The colonnades will be finished with finely punched granite walls and arches and tessellated pavements.

"The centre portion of the west elevation is surmounted by a pediment containing one semi-circular opening, around which are grouped the Royal Arms and the whole is crowned by a statue of Justice standing nine feet high. Behind this pediment rises the base of the central dome, which is terminated at each angle by a graceful pinnacle built of granite. From this base the drum of the dome descends consisting of a circular Doric order, the inter-columnar spaces being pierced with windows. Above this rises the graceful outline of the dome, the whole being surmounted by a handsome granite lantern, terminated at a height of over one hundred and thirty feet from the ground, in a boldly carved Tudor crown.

"The elevations on the north, south and east sides will be similar in character to that on the west, but without a pediment - each facade being finished with a parapet wall and granite balustrade."

Evidently the local public at that time expected - at long last - to see the new Supreme Court rise a thing of beauty and joy forever. Here is the reference to the actual stone-laying ceremony.

"The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Law Courts took place this afternoon (November 12, 1903) before a large and representative gathering. Two stands, tastefully decorated with flags, plants and matting had been erected within the enclosure surrounding the site of the future buildings for the accommodation of the privileged spectators. Immediately facing the platform, a platform draped in bright colours had been constructed from which the ceremony was enacted by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake). Those present included H. E. The Governor and Lady Blake, Sir John Keane, A.D.C., Sir William and Lady Goodman, Hon. F. H. and Mrs. May, Mr. A. G. Wise, Hon. W. Chatham, Sir H. S. and Lady Berkeley, Sir Paul Chater, Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hon. J. W. Dickson, Hon. Dr. Atkinson, Hon. Gershome Stewart, Messrs. F. B. L. Bowley, M. W. Slade, Bompertz, A. Seth, J. W. Jones, J. Dyer Ball, E. A. Hewett, Tooker, Fisher and many representatives of the legal profession.

Some years were destined to pass before the construction of the new Supreme Court, so auspiciously commenced could be completed...

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COURTS(15) Continuation. 26-4 the Government of Great Britain, and the work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Foster, A.R.I.B.A., of the Public Works Department. The style that has been adopted is, as might be expected, purely classic in feeling following the English School and with details of a Greek character. The pile will form not only one of the largest but one of the finest erections in the Colony, the beauty and skill portrayed in the design being far in advance of anything to which we have been accustomed. "The principal elevation of the structure will face towards the west, and will consist of a single ionic order some fifty-five feet in height, forming fifteen bays with attached columns and square angle piers. The piers are inter-connected by set... circular arches supporting the floors of the colonnade over the ornamental balustrades and moulded copings, all in granite. Between the piers and the main walls on the ground floor is a wide colonnade entirely surrounding the building except for a small portion on the east side. This colonnade is spanned by a series of semi-circular arches which support the walls and floor above. The upper colonnade runs round the greater part of the first floor above which is a balcony to the second floor, access to both being afforded by folding casement doors. The colonnades will be finished with finely punched granite walls and arches and tessellated pavements. "The centre portion of the west elevation is surmounted by a pediment containing one semi-circular opening, around which are grouped the Royal Arms and the whole is crowned by a statue of Justice standing nine feet high. Behind this pediment rises the base of the central dome, which is terminated at each angle by a graceful pinnacle built of granite. From this base the drum of the dome descends consisting of a circular Doric order, the inter-columnar spaces being pierced with windows. Above this rises the graceful outline of the dome, the whole being surmounted by a handsome granite lantern, terminated at a height of over one hundred and thirty feet from the ground, in a boldly carved Tudor crown. "The elevations on the north, south and east sides will be similar in character to that on the west, but without a pediment - each facade being finished with a parapet wall and granite balustrade." Evidently the local public at that time expected - at long last - to see the new Supreme Court rise a thing of beauty and joy forever. Here is the reference to the actual stone-laying ceremony. "The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Law Courts took place this afternoon (November 12, 1903) before a large and representative gathering. Two stands, tastefully decorated with flags, plants and matting had been erected within the enclosure surrounding the site of the future buildings for the accommodation of the privileged spectators. Immediately facing the platform, a platform draped in bright colours had been constructed from which the ceremony was enacted by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake). Those present included H. E. The Governor and Lady Blake, Sir John Keane, A.D.C., Sir William and Lady Goodman, Hon. F. H. and Mrs. May, Mr. A. G. Wise, Hon. W. Chatham, Sir H. S. and Lady Berkeley, Sir Paul Chater, Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hon. J. W. Dickson, Hon. Dr. Atkinson, Hon. Gershome Stewart, Messrs. F. B. L. Bowley, M. W. Slade, Bompertz, A. Seth, J. W. Jones, J. Dyer Ball, E. A. Hewett, Tooker, Fisher and many representatives of the legal profession. Some years were destined to pass before the construction of the new Supreme Court, so auspiciously commenced could be completed... Page 265 Page 266

Baseline (Original)

COURTS ( 15 ) Continuation. 26-4 che Government of Great Britain, and the work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Foster, A.R.I.B..., of the Public Works Department. The style that has been acopted is, as might be expected, purely dlassic in feeling following the English Schoold and with details of a Greek character. The pile will form not only one of the largest but one of the finest erections in the Colony, the beauty and skill portrayed in the design being far in advance of anything to which we have been Accustomed. ww "The principal elevation of the structure will face towards the west, and will consist of a single ionic order some fifty- five feet in height, forming fifteen bays with attached columns end square angle biers. The piers are inter-connected 1 set... circular arches supporting the floors of the colonnade ove the ornamental balustrades and mouled copings, all in granite. Bet- ween the piers and the main walls on the ground floor is a wide colonnade entirely surrounding the building except for a small portion on the east side. This colonnade is spanned by a series of semi-circular arches which support the walls and floor above. The upper colonnade runs round the greater part of the first, floor above which is a balcony to the second floor, access to both being afforded by folding casement doors. The colonnades will be finished with finely punched granite walls and rches and tesselated pavements. " The centre portion of the west elevation is sura unted yediment containing one semi-circular opening, around hich are grouped the Royal Arms and the whole is crowned by a tesue of Justice standing nine feet highus Behind this pediment ises the base of the central dome, which is terminated at each ngle by a graceful pinnacle built of granite. From this base he drum of the dome descends consisting of a circular Doric order, the inter-columnar spaces being pierced with windows. ..bove this rises the graceful outline of the dome, the whole being surmounted by a handsome granite lantern, terminated at a height of over one hundred and thirty feet from the ground, in a boldly carved Tudor crown. "The elevations on the north, south and east sides will oe similar in character to that on the west, but without a ediment - each facade being finished with a parapet wall and granite balustrade, " Evidently the local public at that time expected - at long last - to see the new Supreme Court rise a thing of beauty and joy forever. Here is the reference to the actual stone-laying seremoney. "The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new aw Courts took place this afternoon ( November 12, 1903) before large and representative gathering. Two stands, tastefully :ecorated with flags, plants and matting had been erected within the enclosure surrounding the site of the future buildings for the accommodoation of the privileged spectators. Immediately facing the, a platform drapted in bright colours had been construc- ted from which the ceremony was enacted by His Excellency the Go- vernor ( Sir:Henry Blake ) Those present included H. E. The Gover- or and Lady Blake, Sir John Keane, A.D.C., Sir William and Lady voodman, Hon. F. H. and Mrs. May, Mr. A. G. Wise Hon. W. Chathams Sir H. §. and Lady Berkeley, Sir Paul Chater Hon. Dr. Ho Kat Hon J. W. Dickson, Hon. Dr. Atkinson, Hon. Gershome, Stewart Messrs. F.B.L. Bowley M. W. Slade Bompertz, A. Seth, J. W. Jones, J. Dyer Ball, E. A. Hewett, Tooker, Fisher and many representatives of the legal profession. # Some years were destined to pass before the construction of the new Supreme Court, so auspiciously commenced could be completed Page 265Page 266

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COURTS ( 15 ) Continuation.

26-4

che Government of Great Britain, and the work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Foster, A.R.I.B..., of the Public Works Department. The style that has been acopted is, as might be expected, purely dlassic in feeling following the English Schoold and with details of a Greek character. The pile will form not only one of the largest but one of the finest erections in the Colony, the beauty and skill portrayed in the design being far in advance of anything to which we have been Accustomed.

"The principal elevation of the structure will face towards the west, and will consist of a single ionic order some fifty- five feet in height, forming fifteen bays with attached columns end square angle biers. The piers are inter-connected 1 set... circular arches supporting the floors of the colonnade ove the ornamental balustrades and mouled copings, all in granite. Bet- ween the piers and the main walls on the ground floor is a wide colonnade entirely surrounding the building except for a small portion on the east side. This colonnade is spanned by a series of semi-circular arches which support the walls and floor above. The upper colonnade runs round the greater part of the first, floor above which is a balcony to the second floor, access to both being afforded by folding casement doors. The colonnades will be finished with finely punched granite walls and rches and tesselated pavements.

" The centre portion of the west elevation is sura unted yediment containing one semi-circular opening, around hich are grouped the Royal Arms and the whole is crowned by a tesue of Justice standing nine feet highus Behind this pediment ises the base of the central dome, which is terminated at each ngle by a graceful pinnacle built of granite. From this base he drum of the dome descends consisting of a circular Doric order, the inter-columnar spaces being pierced with windows. ..bove this rises the graceful outline of the dome, the whole being surmounted by a handsome granite lantern, terminated at a height of over one hundred and thirty feet from the ground, in a boldly carved Tudor crown.

"The elevations on the north, south and east sides will oe similar in character to that on the west, but without a

ediment - each facade being finished with a parapet wall and granite balustrade, "

Evidently the local public at that time expected - at long last - to see the new Supreme Court rise a thing of beauty and

joy forever. Here is the reference to the actual stone-laying seremoney.

"The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new aw Courts took place this afternoon ( November 12, 1903) before

large and representative gathering. Two stands, tastefully :ecorated with flags, plants and matting had been erected within the enclosure surrounding the site of the future buildings for the accommodoation of the privileged spectators. Immediately facing the, a platform drapted in bright colours had been construc- ted from which the ceremony was enacted by His Excellency the Go- vernor ( Sir:Henry Blake ) Those present included H. E. The Gover- or and Lady Blake, Sir John Keane, A.D.C., Sir William and Lady voodman, Hon. F. H. and Mrs. May, Mr. A. G. Wise Hon. W. Chathams Sir H. §. and Lady Berkeley, Sir Paul Chater Hon. Dr. Ho Kat Hon J. W. Dickson, Hon. Dr. Atkinson, Hon. Gershome, Stewart Messrs. F.B.L. Bowley M. W. Slade Bompertz, A. Seth, J. W. Jones, J. Dyer Ball, E. A. Hewett, Tooker, Fisher and many representatives of the legal profession.

Some years were destined to pass before the construction of the new Supreme Court, so auspiciously commenced could be completed

Old Hong Kong-5 — Page 265

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