ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE, STOKE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 28, 6 November 1885, Page 23

ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE, STOKE

(From the Nelson Colonist.)

Somb little time back an admirable estate of nearly 400 acres situated at Stoke, within easy distance of the main road and about half an hour's drive of Nelson, was purchased from Mr. N. Fowler with the view of erecting thereon the permanent St. Mary's Boy's Orphanage, and utilising tbe ground as a farm and training place for the lads brought up at this institution. Mr. SommervilleV the architect, of tbis city, was entrusted with the work of devising the necessary buildings, and in carrying out his duty he has kept in view tbe probability of the necessity arising as the establishment gains in stature and in fame of the present buildings being added to The front of the buildings will have a westerly aspect, aod they will be visible from the main road to Richmond and the railway, from which points the most noticable feature will be the tower, which will have height of 78 feet. From the main roai easterly the ground gradually ascends in the direction of what is known as Poor Man's Valley and it is u^on the rising ground that the Orphanage wi 1 be erected though on account of spurs from the higher hills the institution will not occupy so commanding a position as it otherwise would dj The front of the building, which is to be a two storey one, will be 190 feet at the southern end, provision being left for the a kiition of a new wing. Forty feet from the southwest corner rises a tower and belfry to the height of 78 feet from the ground, beneath this tower being situated the main entrance to the Orphanage, consisting of a ball 10 feet wide, from which corridors branch. The building itself is plain, but substantial, and much attention has been given to the sanitary matters, including ventilation. On the lower floor the rooms will be 13 feet from floor to ceiling, and on the upper floor 12 feet,; the height of the main building being 27 feet to the span of the roof, and 38 flet to the ridge. The windows are alternately double and single, those lighting the lower floor being square beaded, whilst the upper ones have pointed heads In the centre of the building is situated the refectory or dining hall' a fine apartment 70 feet by 49, and on the right of this are parlours and schoolrooms, whilst to the left there are kitchen, scullery washhouse, laundry, and stores. To the right of the refectory aie two schoolrooms 39 feet by 29 feet. Access is gained to the upper floor by means of two staircases, and on this floor are two large dormitaries above the refectory, whilst there are also servants' rooms clothes rooms, and lavatories, as well as an infirmary, which is placed near the tower. When the building, as now designed, is completed, there will be ample and spleDdid accommodation for 150 buys whilst the erection of a wing on the south would provide for fully 50 more Tbe arrangements as provided for are admirable ; the lavatories are to be arranged for hot and cold water, and with baths and basins !n the clothes rooms there will be lockers for each boy. and a water supply i B to be provided for by a hydraulic ram fixed" on the creek which runs through tbe property, and which will raise the water a height of about lOOfeer.and in quantities ample for all purposes It.c building will be erected on brick foundations, but will be built of wood. From the open belfry of the tower a magnificent view of the rural landscape from land, sea, mountain, and bush will be procurable. All tbe interior will be match Hoed, and for use in wet weather a large play shed, 40 feet by 14 feet, is to be built Earth closets are to be provided, and the water from batho sinks etc., is to he carried some distance into settling tanks and there treated chemically. The plans appear very complete, and as tenders for the work are now under consideration, we may shortly expect to see tho builrimg in progress. X