LEAKAGES IN TAKAHE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 11

LEAKAGES IN TAKAHE

VALUABLE PICTURES DAMAGED RAIN THROUGH WALLS AND ROOF f CONCERN FOR INTERIOR FURNISHINGS Leakages through the walls, roof, and steel window-frames of the Sign of the Takahe have occurred during the storms this week. Water and mildew have damaged valuable pictures and books, some of them almost beyond repair. A damp atmosphere has penetrated into the building throughout every period of wet weather this winter, until the recent storms have caused serious concern to those who are working there. Several of the pictures given to the Takahe, including some irreplaceable ones of the coaching days, presented through the founder, Mr H. G- Ell, have had to be taken down from the walls and mav not be fit for restoration. Miss M. S. DouglsrS, who is m charge of the tea-rooms at the Takahe. ana who has been associated with the work there since its institution, told Press” these facts yesterday. She said she was deeply concerned at the deterioration the rains were canang. She and the staff were hampered m their work and were becoming alarmed about the damage to pictures and books. __ . , “We’re very weary or it, she said- “ Not only have mildew and ram damaged pictures, but the water is on the floor and has constantly to he mopped up. Damage also been done to personal property ” Building Incomplete Mr J. G. Collins, honorary architect for the building on behalf of the Port Hills-Akaroa Summit Road Pabuc Trust, said when he was approached yesterday that the Takahe could no* be regarded as a completed building. If there were leakages, it was because the work was not finished. The replacement of the present roof was held up pending the erection of a larger one to cover both the older section and the new part now being addedBuilding work was under way, but he could not say exactly bow tanflh-it would take before the Takahe' cotad be considered completed A keenly-interested supporter and subscriber to the Takahe, Mr Frank Egan, has- written to the editor of “The Press” drawing attention to difficulties with which he found the staff coping. Bain Indoors “The kitchen,” Mr Egan says, “which at present is only of a makeshift nature, was leaking badly, while the floor was liberally covered with vessels to catch the rainl Meanwhile the women strove valiantly to provide tea for the few hardy spirits who had braved the elements, under the trying conditions of draughts and raindrops. “I was surprised to find the raw being driven in round the steed win-dow-frames and also in places through the walls on the sou’-west side of th» building, which suggests to me that the window-frames are an unsuitable type to withstand driving rain, while the walls should have been built on the cavity principle on this exposed side to counteract seepage or water leaks, as is, I believe, customary in most stone buildings of this kind. “Perhaps it was due to a desire to save expense that the present typeof construction was adopted, but, judging by the pools of water lying about in the basement, something will have to be done to remedy the existing defects. Interior Decorations “It would be nothing short of a disaster if the interior decorations, on which much time forethought for correct detail have been bestowed by the supervisor, Mr J. A. Thomson, should be damaged by datnp or moisture. to say nothing of other injurious effects arising from these conditions. “The present Government has displayed considerable interest in the completion of this building, and provides the wages for the artisans engaged thereon from the Unemployment Fund, but the cost of all material has up to the present been found fay the public through art unions and donations by those interested in the work, and it is to be greatly regretted that a large amount is apparently being wasted through faults in the construction and design of the building.”