“FILL THE GAP”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 September 1934, Page 4

“FILL THE GAP”

NELSON COLLEGE (To the Editor) Sir,—lt is well known that the Nelson Boys’ College has twO' urgent needs. The authorities consider the more pressing of these to be the erection of a block of buildings for technical instruction. But every Oid Boy and every. Nelson citizen is, deeply anxious to see the fulfilment of other great need, namely, the repair of the earthquake damage to the main building. That hateful gap which in all its ghastly hideousness has [or five years obtruded itself upon tbe vision from all the best view points round the town ought not to be allowed to disfigure for a day longer than is necessary the building which was formerly tile pride of every College boy, past and present, and one of the duel ornaments of our city. But we are told that funds are not available to meet both these clamant needs. So the technical block is to be built now while the repair of the main building will probably be held over for some future generation to deal with. This an appalling prospect. With some diffidence I should like to put forward the suggestion that we should kill two birds with one stone. Why not “fill the gap”—the hideous gap—with the technical block? No doubt a better type of architecture than is at present contemplated would he necessary as we all want a design tliat will recall the old and much loved building that was destroyed. But the small extra cost would be well worth while. Aiid now that technical education, after long being the Cinderella of school subjects, is steadily attaining a position of greater dignity and importance, the housing of this branch of study in the main building may not be considered inappropriate. At any rate the proposal deserves careful consideration. Only by the adoption of some such course does there seem to be the slight ost chance of our seeing within a score or more of years that ugly blot of the ruined building- removed from our escutcheon.—l am, etc., XT , ■ F. G. GIBBS, Nelson, 28th September.