ASSEMBLY HALL OPENED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1926, Page 9

ASSEMBLY HALL OPENED.

MT. ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL. HARMONIOUS THOUGH NOT ELABORATE. Deprived of the advantages of an assembly hall for the past four years, the Mount Albert Grammar School has at last been enabled to enter into a more complete school life by the provision of a splendid new hall, which was opened this afternoon by the Minister of Education, Sir James Parr, Although there is no great elaboration of work in the design of the hall, it is a very harmonious building, with its open-worked roof and panelled walls. The panels are about eight feet high, and above them are the white walls, with windows on each side, and, above, a gallery. When the entrance doors were thrown open for the first time to-day, it was apparent to the many visitors who witnessed the opening ceremony that the architect had been singularly successful in producing a pleasing harmonious hall without going to any great expense. The cost hae been about £7400. From the very beginning the hall is considered to be a great success; not only in its structural features and internal appearance, but on account of the opportunities it will give for a fuller corporate life in the school. In a school of over five hundred boys— which is the extent of the rapidly-grow-ing roll—a hall is regarded as a necessity; and it was only omitted from the original portion of the scheme because of the expense. Materials were at peak prices when the school was built, and the money available at that time was not sufficient to permit of the building of a hall. Notable School Function. To-day's function was accordingly regarded as a notable one in the brief history of the school. It commenced at 3 p.m., and was attended by a representative gathering. The architect presented the Minister with a key to the new hall, and when the doors had been thrown open Sir James proceeded to the platform, accompanied by the school staff and authorities, and the- boys and visitors assembled in the hall. Sir James, after declaring the new hall officially opened, unveiled the stone of completion. "An Educational Child." Sir James Parr, who was' introduced by Professor A. P. W. Thomas (chairman of the Grammar Schools Board of Governors), said that the Mount Albert Grammar School was one of his educational children, and he was proud of it. Although it was one of the younger institutions it was rapidly coming to the front as a school of first-grade importance. He regarded an assembly hall as a material advantage, because every morning the scholars would gather there under the eye of the headmaster, who spoke to them, and so a community spirit was fostered in the school. Accordingly he had prevailed upon Cabinet in April last year to make a grant of £8000 for the work, and the tender of Julian and Son was accepted in June. The Minister complimented the builders and the architect upon the fine structure. He hoped that Auckland would soon have a good boardinghouse, or hostel, for the Grammar School, as he had made arrangements with the Grammar Schools Board for the early commencement of a hostel at Mount Eden. This would give country parents an assurance that their children would be well supervised in a comfortable home and under school discipline. Lighting System Excellent. The hall is situated at the southern end of the building, and has its principal entrances opening off the three corridors at the north end. Entrance and exit is also provided at the platform end of the hall. Near the eastern door is placed a tablet, to commemorate to-day's ceremony. Finished in plain white plaster, the hall has five circular-headed windows on each side, which provide efficient lighting and ventilation. These windows are 13 by 8 and have steel sashes, glazed with clear glass. At the southern end, ample space is reserved for the erection of a future honours board, on which will be placed the names of successful scholars. The building is lit by electric lights suspended from the roof, and also affixed to the walls. The contractors were Messrs. J. T. Julian and Sons. Ltd., and the building wa? designed by Mr. W. A. Gumming, architect. An attractive appearance is given to the interior by its rimu finish. The main body'of the hall is 06 by 50 feet, and the gallery above is 24 by 50 feet. Seating , accommodation is provided for about 700, and for the purpose of showing educational films to the assembled school a cinema box has been erected in the gallery. The exterior view is made to conform with the main building, being in rough caEt and Etucco, with a roof of red tiles. The walls are 27 feet high, and the apex is 45 feet above the floor. Begun last July, the work of erecting the hall has taken eighf months to complete. This, however, does not finish the original scheme for the Mt. Albert Grammar School. Tho headmaster (Mr. F. W. Gamble), stnted at the opening ceremony to-day that there were 506 boys attending this year. All the class rooms were occupied, and the accommodation was comfortably filled. As the school is situated in the centre of a rapidly growing district, it had been deemed necessary to provide in the plans for additional class rooms on the northern side. This work will be reserved for the future. (Meanwhile arrangements are being made tn erect a school bell, and to complete the entrance-way.