ST. PETER'S SCHOOL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3422, 20 February 1936, Page 5

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL

SATURDAY’S CEREMONY HON. PETER FRASER TO OFFICIATE DEDICATION AND BLESSING “In the Faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate these Buildings to the Glory of God; in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” With these impressive words, his Grace the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, will bless the buildings of St. Peter’s School on Saturday afternoon, when the official opening ceremony (which is to be performed by the Minister of Education, the Hon. Peter Fraser) will take place. It is expected that there will be at least eight hundred people present, including the staff, boys and parents.

The guests will assemble at two o’clock on the lawn under the beautiful canopy of trees, but if the weather is unfavourable, the assembly will take place in the gymnasium. Half-an-hour later the Archbishop will dedicate the chapel to the honour and glory of God and in memory of St. Peter the Apostle. Preference in seating in the chapel will be given to parents and friends of boys of the school.

The buildings will be blessed by the. Primate at three o’clock.

The Hon. Peter Fraser, Minister of Education, will then officially open the new school. This portion of the ceremony will commence at 3.30 o’clock. Shortly after 4 o’clock the visitors will be entertained to afternoon tea on the lawn if the weather is fine, or in the dining hall, should the conditions be wet.

The ceremony will conclude at 5.15. History of Project When Mr Arthur F, B. Broadhurst first visited Cambridge nearly two years ago in the course of a world tour, he expressed an ambition to establish a model preparatory school, and said he hoped to return to New Zealand one day to do so. Without indicating definitely what his intentions were, he said that Cambridge would be a delightful place for such a school, but it was evident that his tour was being completed before -he decided on the locality. Four months later, in October, it was known that Mr Broadhurst had secured the well-known “Gwynneland” estate, and that after touring in all parts of the world he had decided to build at Cambridge what would probably be the largest school of its kind in New Zealand. Although the new owner did not take over until the end of March, preparations went ahead immediately, as it was. announced that the school would be opened in the first term of 1936.

Mr Roy A. Lippincott, of Auckland was appointed architect, and an immediate start was made with the taking of levels and the preparing of plans. On completion the plans, were sent to England by air mail for the approval of Mr Broadhurst. In February, of last year Mr Broadhurst returned to New Zealand, and spent several days in Cambridge. It was then officially announced that the Rev. J. M. Beaufort, who had resigned the headmastership of King’s School, Auckland, would be associated with Mr Broadurst as joint headmaster. Contract Let in May

The contract was let for the main building in May to Messrs N. Cole, Ltd., though for several months prior to that date about 30 men had been employed carrying out preliminary work. The total cost was estimated at £71,000. The old “Gwynnelands” homestead which was built 55 years ago on the site of the present school, was originally doomed to destruction. However the timber was found to be so well preserved that it was decided to move the building to the rear of the property. This difficult task was carried out under contract by Mr G. Jack, ot Claudelands. The 11-roomed building was shifted five yards a day for a distance of over a hundred yards. During the first three weeks, all local men were employed on the foundations of the new building, under Mr G. Reid, foreman of works. Bad weather made progress slow, and in June the contractors realised that with the arrival of drier conditions, every moment would be ot value in pushing the work forward to ensure completion early in 1030. July saw better weather, and good progress was made by the contractors who had 67 men engaged. The clerk of works was Mr A. E. Murphy. All this time work was progressing on the grounds. The playing fields were being levelled and sown in grass, the front paddocks drained,

and gardens commenced. Earthquake-Proof Design The main buildings commenced to take shape in August, when the number of workmen had increased to 107. At this stage of progress, the earthquake-proof design could be appreciated. At the outset, large trenches were excavated to house the foundations. Steel-cored concrete grids three feet'wide, and of varied depth were then laid in the trenches. These extra heavy grids intersect, forming about ten feet squares, the corners of which are diagonal, to give extra strength. The squared foundations locking into the ground are calculated to resist sway from movements of the earth. From these underground foundations rose large vertical steel frames to form the core of the walls ol the building, giving it extra strength. The wooden buildings have also been constructed on earthquakeresisting foundations. The dormitory block which is part of the main building, is fireproof as well. Rapid Progress of Work

The work continued at rapid pace, and towards the end ot Septembei over 150 men were engaged, working ten hours a day, concentrating on the main block. Progress on the wooden buildings, including the chapel and gymnasium was delayed owing to the shortage of suitable timber. The fine residential block, for the assistant masters, was commenced in September, about the time that the outside staff took up residence in the reconditioned homestead. By the end of the year it was realised that the buildings would be completed in good time for the opening on February 11, and now after several busy weeks of furnishing and clearing up, the school has commenced operations.