TECHNICAL SCHOOL HOSTEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 January 1928, Page 5

TECHNICAL SCHOOL HOSTEL

AN IDEAL BUILDING. Just on the point of completion, the new Grey Technical School Hostel at Karoro, was ihslpected by a reporter in company with Mr John Hart, the contractor, yesterday. The architecture, whilst, plain, enrichriient having been disregarded on the score of economy, is such that the building will make a worthy 1 addition to the principal Government buildings in Greymouth.

Ideally situated on a well-drained section, just beyond the Old People’s Home, a very fine view of the Pacific Ocean, the town,' and the country to the south is afforde'd from the hostel windows. Were a site “made to Girder” it’ could hardly excel the hostel site in healthy outlook, cheery surroundings, and proximity to the Technical School: The building is well off the ground, the height at the eastern side where tile ‘section is somewhat low, being three feet, running to two feet on the western side where the ground rises. The height of the studs in the ground floor is eleven feet, on the first floor ten feet, and in the dormitories nine feet. The building is lit throughout with electric light. The interior of the hostel at once suggests comfort without ostentation, ventilation, lighting and other details which go to make up the “home away 'from Thorne” having been carefully borne in mind. The timber used was seasoned rimu heart, whilst the joinery and dados are of figured rimu heart flat varnished, and are particularly attractive: The floors throughout the hostel havq been stained and varnished’ and the lavatories and bathroonis painted out in white enamel, giving an air of cleanliness. The hostel is’’in two wings, one for the occupation of 'the boys and the other for the girls. In each wing there is a dormitory 46 by 20 feet on the ground floor, whilst there are, in addition, a number of single bedrooms on the first floor. Handy to the dormitories are the cloak rooms, linen presses, baths and lavatories. Access to the first floor is provided by an easy stairway in each wing, the sitting rooms for the principal, staff of teachers, and the’ boys and girls all being on that floor. Windows are all on tlDe casement principle and have fanlights. Of the single bedrooms, five are 9 feet square, and six 131 feet by 9 feet. The dining room, on the ground floor, is reached from either wing, and is a particularly cheery, well lighted room, 30 feet by 18 feet. The boys’ general sitting room is 13 by 10 feet, that for the girls being of the same dimensions. The sitting rooms, dining room, and several of the bedrooms are fitted with nicely tiled modern fireplaces. Hot water is supplied to the bathrooms by a 100 gallon cistern, heated by ail Ideal heater, which will provide hot water in any quantity at all times of the day. The kitchen is supplied with a Salairiander range, having four ovens and a hot water service with a 50-gallon cistern. The range is set on a concrete floor. The kitchen is 18 feet by 14 feet, and behind it is the washhouse, which is fitted with appliances for the quick handling of the weekly washing, and is 16 feet by 7 feet. Continguous to the kitchen are the store room, the cool store, and the coal room.

The drainage system is efficient, a two-compartment septic tank being installed and provided with a grease trap to catch all fatty matter from the kitchen sink, and a separate drain to deal with Storm arid house water. Altogether, the hostel will provide a splendid home for the out-of-town pupils who avail themselves of it, every possible thought having been given tb those points which go to make for contentment and happiness. The Board of Governors can be congratulated in possessing such a necessary and useful adjunct to their school.

The furnishing of the hostel will be commenced in a few days, and it will be ready for occupation in a fortnight.