MEDAL PRESENTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 269, 13 November 1929, Page 10

MEDAL PRESENTED.

FOR REMUERA LIBRARY. CONGRATULATORY SPEECHES. ARCHITECTS ANNUAL DINNER. Opportunity was taken at the annual dinner and meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects held at the Royal Hotel last evening to present to Messrs. Gummer and Ford tlie institute's gold medal, awarded for 1928 for the design of the Remuera Library. The award is made annually in competition for a building of exceptional merit. The award is the second made so far, last year's presentation going to Mr. Stanley Fearn, of Wellington, for designing the Booth-Memorial Home. Judging is done by the British Institute, which is supplied with plans, photographs, and descriptions of buildings de-signed by entrants. Mr. M. K. Draffin, who presided, said competition was keen for the medal. Auckland was fortunate in having a spirit of friendly rivalry amongst its architects. The inauguration of the award, would result in keen competition for the design of .beautiful buildings. He instanced the Remuera Library, which was a perfect example of a beautiful facade, and was designed, in addition, for the purpose for which it was meant. Mr. J. S. Brigham (town clerk) said beautiful buildings had a great influence upon a community. The Remuera Library was an outstanding example. Representatives of the Carnegie Trust who recently visited Auckland, were amazed at the' beauty of the building and its internal arrangements and the city had reason to be proud of it. Mr. R. A. Lippincott suggested that the City Council should place a tablet on the building recording the honour bestowed upon the architects. The chairman said a tablet was being prepared and it would be placed upon the building with the council's consent. The presentation was. made by Mr. T. Bloodworth. He congratulated the recipients 011 behalf of the City Council. ! Thanks were returned by Mr. W. H. Gummer and Mr.. C. R. Ford.

Officers were elected for tlie ensuing year as follows: Chairman, Mr. M.-K. Draffin; vice-chairman, Mr. R. A. Lippincott; secretary, Mr. R. McGowan; treasurer, Mr. T. K. Kissling; committee, Messrs. G. Trevethick, J. Park,'W. A. Cumming, A. J. Brown, L. S. Piper, R. W. MacLaurin and H. L. Massey. v ■ ■