TECHNICAL SCHOOL DESIGN.

Evening Star, Issue 14689, 5 October 1911, Page 5

TECHNICAL SCHOOL DESIGN.

The following letter had been handed to lis for publication:—''A. Marshall, Esq., Director Technical Schcol, Dunedin. Dear sir,—With reference to the protect made against the board's award ir: tinrecent competition, I quite rrrognb.e that the board fed that they should be guided by the opinion they obtained from Mr Vfcodhouse. I must point out. however. that this opinion is based upon the assumption that my design was a breai hj of the requirements", that no 'backlinin;* or shading of elevation* or perspective drawings will be received.' This I not only do not admit, but, as you are aware, I am prepared, if permitted by the board, to have the metier tested in any court at my own expense. 1 feel, however, that th» function of the board is not to settle technicalities raised by disappointed competitors, but to have a building suitable for their purposes erected as soon as possible. 1 feel, also, that the fact- of your having given me the contract is a complete answer to any reasonable person so far as my professional imputation is concerned, because it of necessity implies that you doubt neither my integrity nor icy ability, and confirms the board's assurance that my plan was placed first on its general superiority in planning and suitability to the board*'s requirements, and not, as the secretary to the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects suggested in a letter to the public Press, on account of ' the life and brightness of the front elevation.' Becaueo the board have given me the contract, and although I have fairlv and honestly won the prize, I withdraw "my plans from the competition, as this will help to free the board from complications. Your board, which contain members who are quite as experienced in the consideration ot plans aa are any of the competing architects, have received my plan, and have acquiesced in the decision of the architect, who is admittedly a man of wide experience, and incapable of awarding a prize to a plan which he considered wa* th«re in breach of the conditions. If, under these circumstances, any other competitor considers that he will be benefited by tho award of the prize, and accepts it, I shall raise no objection. It means no financial loss to me, as the prize money of a successful competitor, should he be given the work, is deducted tram his commission.-—H. Maxdkso."