New £3m Science Block “Ready By March, 1965”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29624, 21 September 1961, Page 16

New £3m Science Block “Ready By March, 1965”

I from out Parliamentary Reporter! WELLINGTON, September 20. The Canterbury University science block contract will be let in two parts. At present both are timed for completion and occupation by March, 1965. This announcement was made by the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) in the House of Representatives today. .

However, the Minister also reported that present estimates for the work were more than £500,000 above that in 1959. The total cost, with some figures still to be settled, is currently estimated at £2.780.175. In a brief reply to a written question by Mr M. A. Connelly (Opposition, Riccarton), who is a member of the Canterbury University Council, Mr Tennent said an Education Department conditional recommendation on the calling of tenders was now with, the Treasury. Then, pressed by Mr Connelly, Mr Tennent gave a fuller statement based on a Cabinet report. , Mr Tennent said the department was most concerned at the great increase in the estimated cost of the new science buildings and at certain aspects of the planning However, it recommended on August 2 that tenders be called, subject to reductions in the scope of the work. The department’s recommendation was still with the Treasury.

Mr Tennent said he understood the Treasury had asked the Ministry of Works to explain some aspects of planning and cost. Mr Connelly had asked whether approval for the calling of tenders could be given without delay. Written Reply

In his written reply Mr Tennent said plans and costs for “this very extensive project are still being examined, but there will be no undue delay in giving a decision once this examination is completed ” Mr Connelly said though Mr Tennent had indicated that action was being taken there was a need to begin building early next year if the block was to be ready in 1965.

Mr Tennent should give an assurance that it would be

possible, from the approval date he'gave, for the university authorities to advertise the contract and let tenders in time. Science students should not be excluded in 1965 because of lack of accommodation. History Outlined

Mr Tennent, pressed for a more detailed reply, outlined the history of the science block project.

On October 29, 1958, the Cabinet Works Committee directed the Ministry of Works to design the block. The estimated cost, very approximately, was £1.593,000 for a gross area of 266,000 square feet, he said. The preliminary estimate for a 350,000 sq ft building, given by the Ministry in December, 1959, was £2,250,000. Cabinet Works Committee authorised the completion of sketch plans on this basis. On September 9, 1960, the preparation of working drawings was authorised and on May 26 last, the Ministers of Finance and Education approved an expenditure cf £27,200 on basic site works.

On May 10, the Ministry asked the Education Department for authority to call tenders for stage I, estimated to cost £1,874,375, to grant

£2 million, to accept the lowest tender and provide approximately £ 135,000 for contingencies. Working drawings were not availaßle to the department at that stage. They were received by the department in June. Estimates of Cost

Mr Tennent said an exact estimate of the cost of the second stage was not yet possible but the whole project was estimated by the Ministry to cost £2,780,175. This estimate was made up as follows: Stage I, £1,874,375; Stage 11, £873,000; site works, £27,000; subsequent seating. £4000; trunk sewer £l5OO. The total cost represented an increase of £530,075 on the preliminary estimate in 1959.

Mr Tennent said the buildings were designed for 1350 students. Details of accommodation were:

Stage I: Physics and chemistry, eight storeys; mathematics, psychology and philosophy, two storeys; lecture theatre block, two storeys; library block, two storeys; animal house.

Stage 11, botany and geology, three storeys; zoology and geography, six storeys; boiler house.