NEW DILWORTH SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20851, 18 April 1931, Page 10

NEW DILWORTH SCHOOL.

FORM OF - CONSTRUCTION.

USE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE.

EARTHQUAKE AND ITS LESSON.

As a. result of tbe lesson taught by the Hawkc's Bay earthquake, it has been decided to alter'the materials to be used in the construction of tbe new Dilworth School, to be erected at Wiri. Mr. Henry E. While, the Sydney architect whoso design for, the block of buildings was placed first in the architectural competition held in December, visited Napier after the earthquake, and his suggestions, as a result of his visit, have been adopted by the" trustees. ( The accepted design provided for external walls in brick and terracotta and fo r concrete floors. When the earthquake occured doubts were raised about the proposed method of construction, and it ■was strongly recommended that the building should be of reinforced concrete, without facings of stone or brick. The Dilworth Trust Board has now decided to build the school in reinforced concrete, with facings of coloured cement conipo, the details to be decided later. After hi 3 visit to Napier Mr. White expressed the opinion that in most parts of New Zealand buildings should be constructed in reinforced concrete. He said ho was convinced that, with proper design and adequate bracing, large buildings could be made to withstand earthquakes equal in severity to that experienced in Hawke's Bay. Considerable thought has been given by the trustees to the suggested alterations, and the progress of the proposals accordingly has been retarded. Mr. White has informed the trustees that the additional cost of the amended plans might be 10 per cent., but not more, of the original estimate. The board's surveyors have been preparing plans for the drive from the Great South Road and the laying out of the grounds. Tenders for this work are expected to be called in about a -fortnight.

The school will occupy a site of 150 acres on the Greal South Road, 15 miles from Auckland, and the buildings will be located on a natural terrace. Immediate requirements are for a school to accommodate 180 boys, with administrative, teaching and domestic staffs, the cost not to exceed £BO,OOO. The competing architects were asked to make provision for adding further • buildings in future to accommodate 180 more boys, and ths necessary staff.