RURAL CHURCHES 663 
sketch of this interesting building because I thought its 
antiquity, picturesqueness, and decided national character 
would be sound evidence of the possibilities of timber 
design. 
When I was in Nor way, | was much interested in observ- 
ing some of their methods of timber construction. Build- 
ings are sometimes erected in much the same manner as 
our pioneer farmers construct their log fences. The timbers, 
however, being roughly squared, halved, and dovetailed 
at intersections, so that the superimposed log shall rest 
closely on its next lower neighbour. The core of the wall 
thus becomes one solid mass of pine, whilst the outside and 
inside linings are nailed vertically to this framework, or are 
fixed diagonally or horizontally to upright battens. 
Jt will be thus seen that instead of the dead monotony of 
our horizontal weatherboarding, Norwegian architects 
enjoy a latitude and freedom which is most refreshing when 
compared with our strict and impartial uniformity. 
In addition to the variety of choice concerning outside 
covering. the Norwegian methods of construction are 
favourable to the formation of projections, and the corbeling 
out of upper stories, and decisive architectural features, 
with an ease and propriety with which we are altogether 
unfamiliar. For instance. imagine a building—even only 
one story in height—built on a basement of logs showing the 
semi-rounded face to the outside, on the top of this the walls 
may be covered with upright boarding to a level even with 
the tops of projecting windows, whilst the superstructure 
may be corbelled out for a short distance, and then 
completed to the soffit with a covering of horizontal or 
diagonal boarding. Gables may again project, showing the 
constructive framework behind picturesque barges. 
IT do not urge that Norwegian methods of construction 
should be copied; their climate, conditions, and require- 
ments are not the same as ours, and the timber which that 
country produces is not like that which grows in this 
State. I simply wish to emphasise the fact that one timber- 
producing country has achieved a certain amount of success 
in the construction of wooden buildings suited to their 
requirements and resources; and if this has been done else- 
where, there is no reason why the’ timber-producing countries 
of Australia should not hope for a like measure of success. 
The class of church I have been most frequently called 
upon to design for the rural districts of Tasmania, is a 
building which will seat from 80 to 150 worshippers, and 
which will cost from £100 to £350. 
