THE DESIGNS FOR THE PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3476, 8 July 1880, Page 2

THE DESIGNS FOR THE PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL.

A number of competitors responded to the invitation given b} r the Education Board for designs for a High School in New Plymouth. The designs are of a diversified character of architecture. Some of them while possessing considerable comeliness of appearance arc altogether unsuited for the requirements, and others have neither architectural beauty nor a suitable interior plan to recommend them to ' notice. The choice is thus narrowed down so as to lie between two or three designs. The design which has been approved of is that sent in by Messrs. Young Brothers, of Westport. This design is certainly of an attractive style of architecture, and is capable of being extended so as to form an exceedingly handsome and imposing structure, but it is an open question whether it is not too elaborate for our present requirements. Neither does it possess the same advantages of ground plan which are to be obtained in one of the other designs of less imposing appearance. It has a stately clock tower, with stained glass windows, which, of course is solely for the sake of appearance, and not for any utility. The design, however, has much in it of excellence, and in selecting it the Board, although exhibiting a decided partiality for outward effect, has not sacrificed the interior arrangements of the school. The main entrance to the building is situated at the porch or clock tower leading into a corridor. On the right side of the corridor is the school room. 33ft. Gin. by 20ft., capable of accommodating 56 boys. A class room comj municates with the school room, having a reuioveable partition. The size of the class room is 20ft. by 15ft. The lavatory is adjoining the class room, the dimensions of which are 18ft Gin by 9ft. Gin. On the left of the corridor is situated a museum 20ft. by 14ft. Gin., and a library of a similar size. At the rear of the building there will be a cloak room 17ft. by lift., and a master's room 14ft. by lift. The above are the dimensions which will be adopted for present use, but the design can be extended so as to accommodate 80 additional children or more. Great attention has been paid by the designers to ventilation, a number of the '• Tobin " ventilators being fixed at suitable distances. The school room and class room are both neatly arranged, but the corridor occupies a much larger space than can be well allowed. The estimated cost of the school is £1,200, and the app i oval of the design is, of course, subject to it being found that the cost of constiuction will not exceed that amount. The Board having adopted a design are now anxious to have the building erected without delay, and tenders will be called for as soon as possible.