The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-05-08

VIZ HAVE on several occasions spoken Of The
apparent change going on in Honolulu in regard
TO The buildings being erected in the city. A few
years arc it was q matter Of some wonder to our
citizens to see a stone, brick. or coral building
erected, even in the business part of the town
large wooden buildings were the order Of the day
with those who required large accommodations
for their business. Several enierprising capital
lists conceived the idea OF erecting more substan-
iial buildings than those made Of wood, and com
menced building stores and dwelling houses Of
coral and brick. OF course the adobe, which is
perhaps the most unsatisfactory material for
building Of any used, had entered somewhat into
the field as rival Of wood.
Wisely, the buildings which we're erected by
the Government at an early date we're generally
substantial The old Custom House, though not
a binding remarkable FOR architectural beauty
adding nothing to speak Of to the appearance Of
the city from the or harbor, its coral walls
substantial and viii probably retain their strength
for many years. The Court House, the next
public building erected was built of coral, and is
also substantial structure with more preteutions
TO architectural beauty than the old Custom
House. The Oahu Prison Is not only fine and
substantial building, fully suited to the require
ments for which it was erected, bat an object Of
admiration on account OF its perfect arrangement
Tor the care Of criminals. The mauka portion Of
the present Custom House was erected about the
same time Qs6O), and is a very substantial build
ing. as is the addition makai, both of which as
well as the Prison are built of coral stoue. The
next building Of importance undertaken for
public use was the new Post Office. In this
building the Minister Of Interior inaugurated the
use Of new material in he erection Of the pub
lie buildings. Concrete had never before been
used in Honolulu, except in rare cases when it
was used for ornamental purposes corner blocks
10 one or two school houses. The example set in
the use Of this most substantial material in the
Post Office building seems to have completely
changed the public mind ID regard to the cheap
est and most available materials to be used IN fu-
ture by those wishing TO build commodious and |
safe stores and warehouses. Mr.. Williams, on
Fort Street, has the honor Of being the first gen.
tlemau in Honolulu who has largely used concrete
in the construction Of large store. Quickly /
following his example, Mr.. Dimond, on King St.
near the corner of Fort ST., is now erecting
beautiful concrete building, to be occupied by
Messrs. Dillingham; Co. The Hotel building
is auullvr example or The udaptabllty Ur CUuUreIe
for this country.
The new Government building now being
erected on the Militant premises, will prove when
completed, On fact it is now assuming proportions
and happy completeness of symmetry fdesgn,
which reflects great credit upon those having the
direction of the building) the finest building ever
erected in this city. We have not space, at
present, to enter fully into the details OF the
plan oftbe building, but can assure our readers
that it will be an ornament to the Capital Of the
Kingdom. and lasting monument to those who
have planned it and are engaged in its erection.
So pleased is the last gentleman mfr. Dimond
who has undertaken to build with concrete, with
the cheapness and beauty of the material that as
we understand, be has expressed his intention
erect several other buildings in town of the
same material