has written to The Times stating that the designs subinitted in the recent competition are not being sent to England for final “adjudication, ” as stated in the conditions, on the ground that all the schemes submitted would cost double the sum proposed. Major Corlette points out that the conditions fixed a basis for estimating on which the competitors had to rely; but the report, recently published, on the designs submitted takes a later, and much higher, basis which was not available for use by the competitors. Hence the difference in the estimated cost. By the terms of the conditions, no final adjudication report, estimate of cost or award can be made except by the London adjudicator, Sir Reginald Blomfield, R. A., who was nominated for this office by the R. I. B. A. at the request of the Australian Government: Major Corlette contends, therefore, that, in fairness to the competitors, who are all Australian ex-service men, the matter should be referred to the R. I. B. A. for an opinion on the correct application and interpretation of the conditions.
Canberra, as we know, is at present somewhat out of the way, and if, as seems probable, the estimated cost of building has been revised in the light of the actual costs of materials and labour incurred in the building of the Parliament House, then the fair way would be to proceed with the adjudication of the competition as originally laid down; and if the cost appears then to be greater than the Australian Government is willing to sanction, the premiated competitors, or the first five or six, might then be asked to submit fresh designs on the basis of the amended costs.
The Royal Gold Medallist
The Conference Banquet of the R. I. B. A., which marked the close of the British Architects ’ Conference last Friday, was remarkable in several respects. It brought together a large gathering, which taxed the capacity of the Great Hall of the Hotel Cecil; it was made the occasion for the presentation of this year’s Royal Gold Medal; and it evoked high praise for the distinguished recipient from those whom Lord Sumner, in a humorous vein, dubbed as ˮfive satraps
of the Empire. ” It is, probably, the first time in history, certainly the history of British architecture, that two Viceroys and three Governors-General have met together to pay tribute to an architect, after actual acquaintance with his work in two of the great self-governing Dominions overseas. In this, Sir Herbert Baker can count himself a happy man. It is perhaps invidious to pick and choose between the graceful tributes of Lords Selborne, Buxton, Gladstone, Hardinge of Penshurst and Chelmsford, but the speeches of the first and last impressed us most. Lord Selborne’s eulogy was frank, earnest and eloquent and based on first-hand acquaintance with Sir Herbert’s work in many towns of South Africa, and from experience as a resident in houses which he had designed. Perhaps his statement that Sir Herbert was “always up to time and always within his estimates ” was his strongest commendation from a professional point of view, but his genuine admiration for the new Royal Gold Medallist as a man as well as an architect was evident. As an old Wykehamist, he expressed his conviction that the beautiful Cloisters, added by Sir
Herbert to the Winchester College buildings, was the finest War Memorial in England. Lord Gladstone, with a knowledge of Sir Herbert’s work in South Africa, as well as of the site chosen for the new Delhi, claimed some credit for recognising and recommending Sir Herbert as the most suitable architect for the buildings of the new Indian capital. Lord Chelmsford, complaining that he had been put out, of his turn and that the other noble Lords had ex
hausted all possible oratorical material, yet found an opening, in playful mood, by a reference to some work in this country that had not been mentioned. The governing body of Lords cricket ground, with which he was connected, in view of Sir Herbert’s work in South Africa, his buildings at Delhi, and the fact that he had been made an Associate of the body over which a distinguished friend near him (Sir Frank Dicksee) presided, felt justified in entrusting the new Royal Gold Medallist with the design of their new grand stand and dressing-rooms. He recommended his hearers, when they went to Lords, to look around and see how even such humble and utilitarian structures could be endowed with beauty by a skilful designer. Sir Herbert, after the investiture, made a modest little speech, in which he expressed his gratitude to Cecil Rhodes, who was not merely a man who guided or led a type, but was a type in himself; and referred to Rhodes’ aphorism that “ those who spoil the face of nature in pursuit of gold should atone for their sacrilege with beautiful works of art. ” He made two aphorisms himself which are worth preservation. He thought that “ men and governments do tend to rise to the dignity of their habitations, ” and acknowledging the trust that had been reposed in him by many distinguished clients, he was convinced that ‘ ‘ it was great faith and not great criticism that produced great works of art. ”
Mr. E. Guy Dawber, A. R. A., the retiring President, in responding to the toast of the R. I. B. A., again referred to marring of the beauty of the countryrside by bad buildings. Just now, when we were, at vast expense, endeavouring to alter and reconstruct the purely materialistic buildings which swamped our towns in the rapid advance of industrialism during the last century, we were allowing the beauty of our country-side, unique in its charm and quiet picturesqueness, to be destroyed by ill-considered and meretricious buildings. No building syndicate or private individual, he asserted, had a right to destroy the beauty which belonged to the whole people of this country.
To Mr. E. Bertram Kirby fell the thankless task of proposing at a late hour, and without the aid of the loud speaker, a toast to the numerous distinguished guests, but beyond a felicitous reference or two, his remarks were mostly inaudible to us in a hall that is particularly bad for speaking. Sir Martin Conway, M. P., and Mr. W. J. Locke responded, the latter, who was warmly greeted, recounting some of his fearsome experiences at the International Conference of Architects some twenty years ago, the organisation of which was one of his last official duties as secretary of the R. I. B. A.
But the abiding impression of a notable gathering was the warm personal feeling and esteem which Sir Herbert Baker evokes in those who know him; and although we have met him but once, we may chronicle that it was at a visit he had been at some pains to arrange to bring architects and art critics to see some meritorious reparation work of a distinguished brother architect who is as modest and retiring as Sir Herbert himself.
The Nottingham General Purposes Committee have adopted Sir Bernard B. Wright’s design for a testimonial to Sir Jesse Boot. It is to take the form of completing the library which is to form part of the University Buildings. The library is to contain the busts of outstanding men of Nottingham and Notts. It is to be hoped that the Council will remember the excellent work done by sculptors of Nottingham birth, and afford them an opportunity of executing some of these busts.