Within the Inst few months, he who has taken his walks abroad along the Bubbling Well Road, has probably' noticed that Duilding operations have been yoing on in Chang Scho's Garden. Very tittle inspection. was required for it to be seen that the building was something in the ature of " "new departure " fur a Chinese pleasure garden, for the dimensions were liberal, whilst there were unmistakeable signs that. whatever might be the effect {upon the fingslie' it was intended to have "at least one tower of no inconsiderable height. In order to ascertain more about the nature of the structure and the purposes for which it is intended, our repre-Sentative had an interview with Mr. Kings-and Mr. Atkinson, the architects, Every information was readily and courteously furnished, Mr. Atkinson going over the works and giving a very lucid explanation of what was intended to be done.
The idea is certainly a novel one for China, being nothing less than a finely built tea-house, whioh besides being scrapulously clean, shall approximate very close to the continental cafe. The main part of the building will consist of a fine hall some
this will "tun a sort of colomade, which will support a similar promenade looking down into the hall. The primary object of the hall is to serve as a teahouse, and when it is finished, on account of its loftiness, tasteful decoration, and general airiness and brightness it will be a model one. But it will be available for other purposes as well. Foreigners who desire to ive a Ball other entertainment of a similar nature, will be able to hire the entire building, and if the ideal which has been set up is only realised the place will nu doubt be very popular with Shanghailanders. Acconimodation will be provided for about 500 guests, and in the way of obtaining refreshments the arrangements promise to be quite satisfactory.
"The general effect of the structure when viewed from the outside is very pleasing. The style is the Italivn Renaissance, and the material the familiar red brick, Over the N.E. corner will be a pretty campanile tower 90ft. high, which will give " very fine view over the surrounding country. The principal entrance is at the N., and on entering the visitor will be attracted by its left, just before entering the hall, are rooms very tasteful appearance, To the right and which will be used as cloak rooms when a foreign entertainment is being given, but probably at other times they will be utilised as shops. Further to the right of the entrance, but detached from the main building, the kitchen will be built, harmonizing m appearance with the other, and having an ornamental chimney shaft. The great hall we have already described, and adjoining it will be rooms which can be used for serving supper. Exits are provided all the way round so that the building pro-isos to be the safest and coolest that could be imagined.
The building is expected to be brought into use in July or August, but it will nob, be until next year that the full design of ornamentation will be completed, as the drying of the walls will need to be quite finished before the elaborate colouring can be carried out,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.