NEW HOME FOR GIRLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 11

NEW HOME FOR GIRLS

BUILDING AT WAIKOWIIAI ORDER OF GOOD SHEPHERD EARLY START PROBABLE Tho erection of a new home for girls at the Convent of the Good Shepherd at Waikowhai will, it is expected, be commenced shortly. The homo will comprise two principal sections, a threestoried residential block and a large laundry building. Messrs. Gummer and Ford and partners are the architects. Tho buildings will be in reinforced concrete with brick panel walls, and will be fire and earthquake resisting throughout. Only a portion of the residential block, to bouse about 100 girls, will be erected at present. Provision has been made in the plans for another wing to accommodate a further 100 girls and, with this in view the dining room and kitchen and similar accommodation will be built to provide for the ultimate number of inmates.

The residential block, which will face a sunny courtyard, has been designed throughout to take full advantage of sunshine and air. Wide balconies 011 each floor will look out upon the courtyard and each dormitory will have direct cross-ventilation. The building will also possess the complete equipment of a modern institution including an infirmary, a surgery and a library. Tenders for the work close today. The property on which the homo is to be built comprises about 40 acres and was purchased between 40 and 50 years ago by a Mr. Arkles. It was his intention to establish a road house there but when he had erected the present large building he was unable •to obtain a licence. Mr. Arkles lived in the house and remained there for a number of years. About five years ago the property came into the market and shortly afterwards it 'was purchased by the sisters of the Order of the Good Shepherd, who had just come to Auckland from Melbourne. The old house was transformed into a home for girls similar to the old-established Mount Magdala Homo in Christchurch, and was opened on September'l3, 1931. The homo is undenominational and at present has 35 inmates, as well as 10 sisters. Laundry work is their most important occupation, although they also do lace and linen work and make vestments for church use.