It has not occurred any too often that praise could be given to the architecture of public buildings in this city, but the Centennial Hall gives the opportunity for some elements of satisfaction in comment.

The general effect of the exterior of the Town Hall Buildings is not good. The Centennial Hall overpowers tho original building, and destroys symmetry and proportion in bulk. There is too much the appearance of building by instalments. Taking the Cathedral, the Deanery, and the Town Hall together the effect is fine, injured only by the disproportion of the Town Hall, or City Hall as it should be more properly called.

The approaches to the Town Hall proper and the Centennial Hall are dignified and massive, the vestibules are open and lofty, and there is an air of freedom and yet massiveness about the entrances. The real merit of the interior of the building is its fine simplicity. The white colour does not stare, there is not too much ornamentation; there is light and airiness without anything theatrical; there is no glitter and no affectation in colour and design.

The organ chamber, as yet unfilled, renders the building unfinished-looking, and it is almost impossible to tell what the real effect of the brace of the Corinthian pillars on either side will be when the great instrument is in its place. But the public of Sydney may be assured that they have a building which, having many fine elements of modest and pure architecture about it, possesses also large qualifications of use.

One of the best features in the building is the great window in the hall-way as one faces to the galleries on the north side. The central panel represents Captain Cook, and the side panels a combination of Australian waratahs and English roses.

The work, as stated some months ego, was performed by Mr. Lucien Henry, whose ability in decorative art is well-known, and whose work is full of poetical feeling, perceptive strength, eloquent colour, and masterly thought. The design is worked out with a ripe freedom of thought and coloured with a delicate sensuousness. The figure is dignified, the face is full of intelligence, and the character of the noted man, as touched by the painter, is given intention, power, and quiet heroism. For such a kind of work the window is an acquisition to the city's beauties, and as much may be said of the quiet design and colouring of the smaller windows in the hall itself.

A timely discovery

Of the two events of the week, which was the greater - the opening of the Centennial Hall, or the opening of Parliament? In the one case the Governor was the officiating chief; in the other he was an interested spectator. There is a sort of traditional self-assertiveness about civic functions. In the old days, when Temple Bar was standing, the Queen, on her visits to the city, had to knock at the closed gates to gain admittance. The rule of non-intrusion is not, however, applied here invariably, for, according to Mr. Horbury Hunt, the first stone of the Sydney Town Hall was laid by hands which, though Royal, were the hands of an outsider.

But that was 31 years and a-half ago, in times explored only by the archaeologist. It is too late now to indulge in hyper-criticism; but still it may be remarked that the term "Centennial Hall" has a certain jarring sound about it. There are plants which we classify as annuals, biennials, and perennials; but adjectives which indicate an admeasurement of time together with periodical recurrence are in some cases awkward to handle loosely. Did anyone ever know of of an annual hall, or a quinquennial? If not, why a centennial? There may be a centennial celebration, with the "Old Hundredth" in full force, a hundred years hence; but there will hardly be need for renewing the building.

Everyone has been gratified by the successful completion of the structure, and the satisfactory conduct of the opening ceremonies; but one or two minor points have escaped general notice.

The one is the action of a late Mayor and alderman, Mr John Young, in relation to the enlarging of the design and the reduction of the cost of the building. The other is the fortunate fact that Mr. John McElhone, a former alderman, smokes, and that whilst luxuriating in the enjoyment of a pipe, he made a timely discovery of the untrustworthiness of the old foundations.

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on November 30, 1889