(Vice-President R.V.I.A.), Deceased.
T
HE late Mr. Askew was born at Workington, a seaport of the Lake District of Cumberland. In the country of Wordsworth, where Southey and Ruskin also received inspiration from its magni- cent scenery, it was no wonder that young Askew learned to despise anything which was mean and anything not transparently honest. In early life, left without the guidance of parents, he attended the private school of Mr. Liddell, a popular schoolmaster from Edinburgh.Leaving school, he acquired some knowledge of cabinet making and joinery in his native town, and, after a year or so, left for Mel- bourne, arriving here in 1869. He then worked with his brother-in- law, Mr. Edward Twentyman, for some years. He attended the civil engineering course at the University from 1878 to 1881 (his coach being Mr. A. Watson), taking his C.E. degree in May, 1882.
With Mr. Twentyman as partner, in that year he commenced to practise as an architect, and was not long in being recognised as an able practitioner, especially in works of an engineering nature. His early drawings prove him to have been, an efficient draughtsman, although during the last few years he used his pencil but little. The only competition in which he engaged was for the design of Cairns' Memorial Church, East Melbourne, which he succeeded in winning early in the eighties. He designed and carried out the following, amongst other, works :—Briscoe's, Duckett's, Agnew's and other hardware warehouses; Stephen's and other drapery warehouses;
Paterson, Laing and Bruce's warehouse and factories; Connell's warehouse and the Tramway Co.'s offices, Bourke-street; Sugar Works, Port Melbourne; Wallach's, Elizabeth-street; Fink's Build- ings; the Block Arcade; extensive additions to Menzies' Hotel;
the Hotel Metropole, Sydney; various flour mills, and many other buildings of a public and private nature. Mr. Askew eschewed func- tions of a social nature, preferring quiet study and the circle of his family. A hater of show and pretence, " thoroughness " he would ever attain. When writing specifications for his large buildings, he
The R. V I. A. journal of Proceedings, May, 1906.
The Late DAVID CHRISTOPHER ASKEW, C.E.
(Vice-President of the R. V.I.A.) Born 1854—died 1906.
33)anfa Christopher Rshew, C.E.
67 used to remain at home, where, in the study in his garden at Balwyn, amidst delightful surroundings, he could write without being disturbed by either telephone or caller. As an arbitrator he had great experience, his services were frequently in demand, and his awards were always accepted as from a mind never tinged with bias.- His work at the Institute was done with his customary zeal, and last year, out of the twenty-seven meetings of the Council and the Literary and Social Committee, he did not fail once in registering an attend-ance. He was esteemd by the profession, and on his works in hand was held by his contractors and workmen to be an ideal architect.
He always maintained that when an architect saw a workman doing a bit of especially good or difficult work, a word of encouragement would go a long way and make the worker a happier man.
His life is an inspiration to our younger men. He would direct a young man's studies, encourage him in his struggles, and was never afraid of giving to his professional brethren some of the " wrinkles "
he had picked up in his own experience. He believed that a young fellow, before entering the architectural profession, was all the better for a little practical knowledge of the workshop, and he put the belief into practice in the case of his younger son.
(In the present issue a full-page portrait of Mr. Askew is in- serted.)
[Owing to extreme pressure on our space, our Review of New Books, etc., is held over till the next issue.—ED.]
[R.V.I.A.
~ °Ë
j) . V.I.A. COMPETITIONS,
l~ 1906.
Particulars and Conditions for Prize Competitions for 1906.
R.V.I.A. SILVER MEDAL.
O
PEN to all members and pupils of the profession who are serving or have served their articles with an Architect, being a member of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects, and who shall be under the age of 3o years on the 3oth day of June, 1906.SUBJECT : An Art Gallery for a small town, providing about 400 lineal feet horizontal wall space for pictures, and 500 feet super floor space for statuary. To be one story, with vestibule, office, basement for storage, caretaker's rooms (3), and sanitary conveniences.
Material and Style optional.
Drawings to consist of 3 elevations, 2 sections, and ground and basement floor plans, to inch scale. Detail of front entrance to
% inch scale. All in black and white, without shading, except windows and sectional work, which may be hatched or blacked in solid.
Perspective, in which nearest point of building is not to exceed f inch scale vertically, to be in black and white. Shading optional.
Outline report to accompany plans.
Lane.
Site level a —b Fall of 15 feet a b to c Building to face point c
c
N
Competitions. 69
The Institute's Silver Medal will be awarded to the design adjudged first in order of merit. A prize of the value of £3 3s., with a special prize of £2 2s., kindly donated by the President, Mr. C. A. D'Ebro, to the design adjudged second, and a certifi- cate of Honourable Mention to the one adjudged third.
The judging of all designs will be based upon the number of marks obtained. To enable a competitor to obtain first prize in the Silver Medal competition, he must succeed in obtaining not less than 66% in each of the following:
(a) Designing.
(b) Construction.
(c) Draughtsmanship ; and at least 75 per cent, of the total number of marks allotted.
The maximum number of marks obtainable under each of the above headings will be as follows :-
(a) Design and plan-6o marks.
(b) Construction-20 (c) Draughtmanship-2o
R.V.I.A. BRONZE MEDAL.