New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-11

ARD NJ. HUNT
The Board of Estimate and Apportonment
Yesterday authorized issuing bonds for $1.oOO.ooo
for an extension to the east side OF the Metro
potan Museum of Art in Central Park. These
bonds are to run thirty years. and to bear IN
tercst at not more than Sl2 per cent, not more
than 5000 900 To be issued in any one year
General Louis T. di Cesnola seen at his
home No 109 East Fifty -seventh-st.. last even
irg and in answer to questions on the SUBJECT
said "The bill authorizing the expenditure OF
81 100000 for the improvement OF the Metropoh-
tan Museum of Art was passed some time ago
Rut the action Of the Board of AppOrtonment
makes the first 100000 available. The Gen
eral added that when the bill was before the
LEGISLATURE a committee from the Board or
Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum went TO
Albany and explained the object or enlarge
ment of the present structure. and 10 their
efforts the legislation was largely due. This
committee consisted Of Charles Stewart smith.
James A. Garland and Salem II. Wales I'M
mediately after the bill passed. which au-
thorzed the expenditure of sloOO0O0 provided
that the building must be completed within five
wears and that not more than 100000 should be
expended in any one year. plans were drawn
by the late Richard NJ. Hunt. These plans pro-
vide for ISL aped building with the top 'front.'
ing in Fifth-ave. This will be 3O4 feet long. ana
the stem of the T. which will connect the new
structure with the old. will be lOi feet long.
The plans for this new part had been con-
sdered for three years by the Building Com
mittee appointed by the Board Of Trustees
This committee consisted Of Richard NJ. Hunt.
Henry G. Marquand and General di Cesnoa
The committee had more in view than the
erection of the proposed building.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. said Gen
eral al Cesnola. has the use Of about eighteen
acres of land. The first building and the addi-
tons we're put up near the centre Of the plot. but
now the outer edge 10 be built upon ana we
wanted structure which would be as nearly
eerfect as possible and classcally beautiful. Mr..
Hunt threw his whole heart into the scheme ana
his plans were nearly complete when he died.
They needed only the finishing touches. when
were put on 10y his son. When Mr.. Hunt died
continued the General. "the trustees, who had
done 50 much for the matter in Albany, were
made members Of the Building Committee, which
now consists Of Messrs. Marquand' Smith. Car
land. Wales and myself
When asked about the general effect Of the
Fifth-ave. FACADE. General di Cesnola said; III
is absolutely splendid. IT is classical In al us
character and will BE- an ornament TO me Guy OF
Ncw-York. We hope TO be able to use marDe
and will do 50 if he appropriation is sufficient
but if marble is not used in the construction the
facade will be built of stone 81 equaliN ehiUiiHe
qualities. The Fifth-ave. facade Will be only the
beginning of a grand piece of architecture which
will inclOse the eghteen-acre plot That was MI.
Hunts idea when he drew the plans. what VIII
all that cost? | never thought Of that: future
generations will have to prapple with that ques-
ton For the present We are satisfied 10 buiid
the million dollar addition.
When asked who would carry out the plans as
made by Mr. Hunt. the General said: 'When
Mr. Hunts plans were submitted by the Building
Committee TO the Board of Trustees. they were
accented and Mr. Hunts son Richard II. Hunt,
was intrusted with the completion Of the work
which his father had begun. and with the prepa-
ration Of the construction plans.
General di Cesnola said that the scheme or IN
closing the great plot with structure of which
the Fifth-ave. facade only the beginning.
would give New-York museum larger ard more
beautiful than any in the world, and if there was
ANYTHING defective in the early buildings, which
occupied the inner space. 1t would be masked by
the beautiful marginal structure. IL is expected
that work on the new building will be begun