#1188 ... Are yours lined up?

The steel balls on the Taranaki St. Wharf ... all lined up and ready to roll ... YEAH RIGHT

#1187 ... The Official Poster?

This wall is worthy of Banksee in London ... the notices asking poster stickers to desist ... negates the desire for a clean wall ... delightful, Dixon Street, Wellington

#1186 ... Intriguing

The stone floating ball at Te Papa is always intriguing for young and old alike ... there's something about an object which you know is so heavy appearing to float and rotate as though it has no weight.

Some Facts on this Ball inside the entrance

The large ball inside Te Papa’s main entrance is called the Sponsorship Recognition Stone. It acknowledges Te Papa’s founding sponsors.

The stone:
* is 1.4 billion years old – the oldest material in Te Papa
* is made from gabbro (a coarse crystalline basalt often called Swedish Ebony Granite) from Transvaal, South Africa
* sits on a base stone of Indian Hassan Green Granite
* weighs 0.79 tonnes
* measures 82 centimetres in diameter
* was machined by the Kusser Granit company in Germany.

Low-pressure water from a 500-litre tank provides the power to rotate the ball. The layer of water between ball and base is just 0.2 millimetres thick. Solenoid-controlled jets pulse the water to keep the ball moving when no one is pushing it. For hygiene reasons, the water is treated with swimming-pool chemicals and changed weekly.

#1185 ... Sudden Downpour

Saturday morning was looking good ... until the heavens opened up with a sudden downpour of rain ... all the Saturday morning cyclists were now looking like drowned rats on bikes. I went across the road to Rhythm Cafe had had welcome hot coffee.

#1184 ... Coastal Mural

An interesting graffiti, street art style, mural at Island Bay ... south of the city.

#1183 ... Delicate Glass ART

TENSEI = a certain thing changes to a different thing which has a different quality. The Buddhist word is "reincarnation"

Masahiro Sasaki, the artist & the technologist takes the glass which is an inorganic substance and melts it into what is an organic shape. Sand changes to glass by heat, then after it is formed by Masahiro it is returned to sand through sand blasting. He sees this as collaboration work with glass. The form is born from discovery and the institution of process, technique and experience with the material.

Get along to AVID Gallery in Victoria Street, Chews Lane area and marvel at this glass artwork

#1182 ... More Orange Jackets

Now if we measure progress by the number of "orange safety jackets" on site ... then this is progress on the new bus lane through Manners Mall !!! Previous posting

#1181 ... Window Dresser Window

The window dresser at Kirkcaldie & Stains caught in the action of assembling the new window displays ... Lambton Quay

#1180 ... Another brick in the Quay

This style of city pavement is great if laid well in the first place ... it allows services beneath to be accessed and the bricks put back in place afterwards .. so here is this tradesman putting another brick in the wall ... ooops the walk!!

#1179 ... The Hole Movers

The city seems perforated with holes at present ... the orange "Guardians of the City" are out and about ensuring we don't fall into any holes. This team is working at preparing this hole for removal to another site in the city ... YEAH RIGHT !!

#1178 ... The Sachs MadAss

The Sachs MadAss parked in Brandon Street ... there are are few of these trendy bare essential bikes around Wellington.

HISTORY: SACHS Fahrzeug - und Motorentechnik GmbH (Sachs) was founded by Carl Marschütz on April 5th, 1886 in Neumarkt Germany. From their humble beginnings with only 8 employees, Sachs quickly grew to become the world's largest manufacturer of motorized bicycles. Throughout the history of the company, the Sachs Bikes portfolio has included motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, motor assisted bicycles, electric bicycles, ELO-Mini-Scooter, four-wheeled All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Mini-cars.
As the oldest still producing two-wheel manufacturer worldwide, Sachs Bikes have built a unique tradition. As the years have passed by, technical competence and trend-setting mobility solutions have remained the key focus for the brand. Today Sachs Bikes is an internationally operating corporation with an annual turn-over of 40 millon Euro selling in excess of 30,000 units. With manufacturing plants in Europe and also Asia, the Sachs brand is now distributed worldwide and proudly distributed here in Australia by Mojo Motorcycles Pty Ltd.

From the modern free thinking Madass through to the stylish Amici, the Sachs range has always been cutting edge and guaranteed to turn heads. Built to the highest of quality standards, all Sachs Bikes represent amazing bang for buck making cruising in style affordable to not only the rich and famous!

#1177 ... MFC & Nikau Palms

The Michael Fowler Centre [MFC] ... the events centr next to the Wellington City Town Hall ... the older whiter building to the right ... in the foreground are the artificial nikau palms that surround the Civic Square and the Wellington City Library

#1176 ... Canopy-eed

Installing a new canopy over the entrance way ... or is this just to keep the workers dry while they do other maintenance work ... Featherston Street looking south

#1175 ... Outstanding Simon

Simon the new owner of the new "gas" station in Ngaio ... a man who is 'out-standing' on his forecourt. The new owners and staff are working to make a difference in the local area .. and the upgrade of this facility is most welcome to the many motorists who pass by here everyday. ... so give them a try.

#1174 ... Dominion Farmers Institute

A closer view of the Dominion Farmers Institute building shown in yesterdays posting ... and no it is not the Vodafone building (red sign) ... that is behind on Midland Park.

Statement of Significance

With the formation of the Dominion Farmer's Institute, farming organisations had a co-ordinated voice, and the construction of a major commercial building in central Wellington was a potent symbol of their ambitions. The high historic value of the building derives principally from its construction and occupation by the Institute, further enhanced by later tenants, the Reserve bank in particular. Some Wellingtonians know the building for the full size moa that occupied its foyer, now located with a sculpture of Godfrey Bowen in the Featherston Street entrance, while many others worked or conducted business there.

The building is a well known landmark in the Featherston Street streetscape, unmistakable since its new vibrant colour scheme was applied, and highly visible to traffic travelling south into the city. The vertical proportions and tower make it a strong focal point. Although the Gothic style appears dated for the time, and inappropriate for the purpose, it is nevertheless a very well executed design in this mode, making full use of the structural possibilities of reinforced concrete for interpretation of Gothic forms and to provide ample natural light to the interior. It is the work of one of the oldest most and important architectural practices in New Zealand, at that time known as Collins and Harman. The building has high aesthetic value, and the level of authenticity of the exterior is likewise high.

The architects were Christchurch neo-Gothic specialists Collins and Harman. The permit was granted for the building's foundations in June 1917, at an estimated cost of £7470. The contractors were Fletcher Brothers, later Fletcher Construction, in what was one of their first successful Wellington tenders. They also secured the main contract, the permit for which was granted in January 1918.

Work was not completed until 1920. Hunt's vision of a farmer's hotel on the top three floors never transpired - the space was initially needed for offices and wool storage and the idea was never revived. Some of the associated producer organisations moved out because of space constraints. In 1929 the building was extended to the south by Collins and West (successors to Collins and Harman). In 1933 the newly constituted Reserve Bank took space on the ground floor, while another tenant was the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Some of the building's ornamentation was removed after the 1942 earthquake and there was major refurbishment in 1964 and again in 1968. In 1984 the building was completely refurbished, with the main entrance vestibule retained, and the 1929 addition was removed and replaced with a new building. The architects were Peddle, Thorp and Maidens. The building is now called Seabridge House, for its tenants, the New Zealand arm of some European shipping companies (no longer trading).

Seabridge House occupies a prominent city corner and is an important landmark in the commercial heart of the city.

#1173 ... Wharf Parking

Cars parked on the wharf ... looking south west towards the city. The lower old building in the centre of the photo is the Dominion Farmers Institute building ... now known as Seabridge House. As I understand it this was the first reinforced concrete building built in Wellington by Fletcher Construction in 1920. The NZ Reserve Bank used to be here and in the basement they still have the large money safes. Tomorrows post will be a closer view of this landmark building.

#1172 ... Window Shopping

Country Road, Lambton Quay ... relecting on window shopping

#1171 ... The Master Sun Setter

Another superb sunset from the Peka Peka master of the evening glow ... thanks Tony for a stunner sunset

#1170 ... King Burger

The Old Bank building on Manners Mall ... which now houses Burger King. A bit like the warm glow of the open cooking fire in a medieval castle ... so how far have we progressed then?

#1169 ... In a manner of desolation

Manners mall is being ripped apart to create a bus lane. lots of controversy about the change and still more angst with the impact of this reconstruction on the businesses in the mall. As usual with civic projects around the world this one also has the hallmark of DELAYS. Dull grey seemed appropriate with the only highlight being the construction worker trying to do his bit for progress?

#1168 ... Sailing Sun

In The warming glow of the early morning sun through the Queens Wharf sails. Looking east from Post Office Square by the Intercontinental Hotel, across Jervois Quay to Queens Wharf. Academy of Fine Arts on the left and the City to Sea Museum on the right.

#1167 ... photo espresso

Coffee fix time at Cafe Photo Espresso in Victoria Street ... a great place in the morning with the sun streaming through the windows, great service, great coffee, great people.

#1166 ... Ahhh the sun is back

Down on the waterfront at Mojos Cafe beside the Meridian Building .. and YES this photo qualifies on both interpretations ... the sun and the son are out !!. yesterday presented a very cold southerly wind ... everyone was wrapped up in thick coats and jackets ... BUT TODAY ... the weather has changed dramatically and all Wellington makes the most of it.

#1165 ... The Guardians' AGM

Our orange city Guardians group together to sort out the year ahead. Without these helpful entities guiding where we can walk or NOT as the case may be ... our routes across the city would be a tad more perilous

#1164 ... Bath Time

Briscoes Homeware, Taranaki Street ... doing some promotion for their bathware sale ... the only thing missing is the body.

#1163 ... Vodka Recycled !!

Rumbles Wine shop is well known for it's quality and value as well as the many quirky window displays to catch the eye and make you smile. This one was actually promoting some hearty red wines ... with a funny twist. Well done guys.

#1162 ... The Master Roaster

Lambros the Master Roaster at Mojo's on the waterfront ... feeling the coffee as it goes through its roasting process ... you must try Dr Mojo's Medicine ... a superb blend. The aromas in this place make your day go better ... so call in and say hello to Paul and the team.

#1161 ... Red Shoe Lineup

Lisa at Overland Shoes, Lambton Quay checking that all the "reds" are lined up ... and ready to walk out of the store with their new owners. Thanks team for the photo

#1160 ... Conversation over coffee

Regan and friends enjoy a morning coffee and business conversation at Magnetix, Midland Park ... and leaning non the new mobile high bench .. with the latest news under the glass ... and the smell of the new timber was very evident and delightful.
If you are in the area call in for a well read coffee.

#1159 ... NOT Rush Hour

Wellington Railway Station around 9:30am in the morning ... after the peak rush hour ... it has a vacant beauty all on its own.

HISTORY: When completed in 1937 the station was New Zealand’s largest building, partly because it was designed to accommodate 675 head office and district railways staff.Engineering to 1990 - IPENZ, Engineering Publications Co Ltd, Page 36 The land upon which it is built is reclaimed, and it was the first major New Zealand structure to incorporate a significant measure of earthquake resistance. It was constructed by Fletcher Building as one of its first major construction projects. It was designed by New Zealander W. Gray Young, famous for his neo-Georgian styles.

It has a steel frame encased in reinforced concrete and supported on groups of reinforced concrete piles. Bricks used for the outer cladding are of a special design, with slots to accommodate vertical rods reinforcing the brickwork and binding it to the structural members. It required 1.75 million bricks, plus 1500 tonnes of decorative granite and marble.

#1158 ... Ron's Gallery

Ron in his element at his gallery  ... a new exhibition by John Badcock.

John's portraits have an expressive intensity, each one capturing the unique qualities of the sitter while his landscapes are painted with vigorous brushwork applied thickly in sweeping brushstrokes, and a bright, intense colour palette. His recent political and social commentary on climate change and global warming is both confrontational and extremely powerful. John is without doubt a multi-talented storyteller.

The canvases are amazing and Ron has added to the drama by posing, with cow skull. Get along to Exhibitions Gallery in Featherston Street and have a new art experience. Thanks again Ron

#1157 ... Well read coffee

The staff at Unity Books, Willis Street getting ready for the day ... large pot of plunger coffee, some kiwifruit, a quick read and we're ready for the customers ... thanks for the photo ladies.