WANGANUI BRANCH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 16 July 1913, Page 4

WANGANUI BRANCH.

FINE NEW BUILDING

OPENS TO-DAY

The •extension of the influence of th© V.M.C.A. to Wanganui has found hearty swpport, and the prospect of forming a- strong branch hero has resulted in the erection of >a fine, building to carry on the Association's operations. Mr W. Reid gave the organisers £1800 for a site, £750 was subscribed for administrative purposes for three years, and £5500 has been provided for the buiiUing, furnishing, , and gymnasium equipment. The public responded heartily to the call for funds, and £4000 of the £5500 was subscribed within ten days This was prior to October last. The building has now been er^tod, and will bo used for the first time today. It is two storeys high, and stands on an admirable site at the corner of Plymouth St. and Victoria Avenue,

and covers an area of 79 ft x 64 ft. A salient feature of the building is its architectural and artistic finish, and on this point is can claim high pro- ' minence. The elevation to Plymouth St. is beautifully executed, and thefinish of the interior is in keeping with it. In the centre of the Plymouth St. frontage- are two sets of windows on the ground floor. On the first floor above these are two further sets, semi-circular in shape, which are imposingly surmounted by brickwork arches. To the loft is the main entrance. On either .side of the facade, granite columns, crowned by sandstone capitals', are raised from, the tiled floor. From the capitals a fine arch is constructed in brick. Above the facade on the second floor, oriel windows stand I out in bold relief.^ On the corner of the Avenue and Plymouth St. is a shop, 25ft. x 12ft 6in., with plate-glass windows, and above these are the windows of the gymnasium. The facings of the front ai'e ornanientalljr arranged. . Rough white casting is alternately relieved by sandstone and'brickwork, and makes a very pkasing presentment. From Plymouth. St. one enters at the facade through swinging doors to the reception hall The doors are neatly embossed with, the Association's emblem. The hall, which is 16ft. wide, and extends for 30ft., is well lighted, and a huge Old English fireplace gives it a homely touch. At the end of the aall is the general secretary's office, while midway down is the general office. Adjoining the reception" apartment is the recreation room.. Th'js luv a ground space of 30ft. x 33ft., and is remarkable for its roominess and the artistic effect lent to the dado and ceiling by fumed riniu. Lavatory acI comniodation is provided in an apartment at the end of the hall. Leading from a corridor which runs at rightj angles to the hall, are the committee meeting room and the caretaker's quar- ! ters, while the end of the corridor gives entrance to the social room, facing .tho iArenuje. The.social room is 27ft x/J/vft. i Ad'jommg is the. club^aom, 204fc.es )2#t,, •and Yon ..the same'floor at the 'rear of I thVpr,eiriise s is the kitchen vfw^udi; has ■-.'a-1 fine g&k ;' sfco\;e and all,'culinary appliances.' The first floor is mad© by way of; a' fine broad staircase leading from >r the entrance ball. Heavy wainsootting and panelling in stained; rimu set off the hall and staircase to distinct advantage. The landing at the top of the soaircase guides one into a long corridor leading to the gymnasium. On the right-hand near the staircase the reading and correspondence room is situated. It is 23ft. long by 17ft. wide, and has a nice fireplace and book-shalves. j The gymnasium is h large apartment 50fr Jong by 27ft wide. It extends paiv>Jlel with the Avenue. When ready the gymnasium will be fitted with complete apparatus. The physical director's office and the apparatus room adjoin the gymnasium, and a passage leads to.tke bothroom,.shower, lavatory, dressing an<i locker rooms. A flight of steps from the gymnasium brings one to the I camera club's apartment, which oon- ! tains a dark room. ; On the roof, d flat space, 50ft x 33ft, suitable accommoda- : tion is provided for outdoor exercise. The boys' apartments are separate from the men's. From the Avenue an. en- '■ trance leads upstairs to a fine room 32ft long by 26ft, which, is set apart solely for use by boys 'belonging to the institution. Adjoining are baths and full lavatory arrangements. The ceilings throughout, the building are of white fibre.us plaster, and in the main rooms zho centre and corner mouldings tare very pretty. Messrs Russell and Bignelf are the builders, and Mr Alex "Wiseman, of Auckland, was -.he architect. Th© building is in every way a fine acquisition to Wanganui, and with such appliances at hand, the influence of th© Association should make itself a strong factor for good among men and boys of the town. The institution will be opened at 3 p.m. today by his Worship the Mayor (Mr T. B Williams), for "the purpose of the All Nations Fair, which is being held with the object of raising the money roquirsd for furnishing the building. Arrangements for the fair, which is to extend over three days, aro well-nigh completed. The stalls have been set out to the best advantage, and decorated with ferns and bunting. The work of tiie committee should bo rewarded by staunch support from the residents, nnd us a result the funds of the institution should bo well augmented.