THE NEW DOMINICAN CONTEXT, OAMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 20, 17 May 1900, Page 20

THE NEW DOMINICAN CONTEXT, OAMARU.

The foundation stone of a new Convent for the Dominican Nuns at Oamaru will be laid on Sunday, May 27, by his Lordship Bishop Verdon. The following particulars of the new building will be of interest to our readers :— The new Convent will stand on the vacant space between the present Convent and the Basilica, but on a terrace considerably higher than that occupied by either of those buildings. The terrace in front will be reached by zueaua of a double set of concrete steps. 7ft wide, forming a semicircle and landing on the verandah which will occupy the space between the two wings of the building. The whole building will be very plain in its external detail, but strongly built of Oamaru stone, standing on a cemented concrete base, and having all its external walls hearted with cement and concrete to keep out the damp, the whole tied together with iron bands. The front of 'Aie building will have two gables on each side, finishing the north and south wings, the body being recessed back and finished with a verandah and balcony of timber and' cast iron. A similar verandah and balcony will extend along the whole length of the north flank to give space for exercise to the community during all weathers. The roof will be finished with French tiles, a more permanent roofing material than either slate or iron, and affording a better contrast with the Oamaru stone. Particular attention has been given to the sanitary arrangements of the building and everything relating to drainage, ventilation, water supply etc., is designed upon the most modern, up-to-date systems. No drains or other pipes will be carried under the ground covered by the building except through a tunnel of sufficient size to admit the entrance of workmen for inspection or repairs. Hot and cold water will be laid on all over the building, circulated from one of Messrs. Barningham and Cos., <>ft.f t. ranges. This firm will also supply all the cast iron necessary for the verandahs, balconies, and the ventilation scheme. The whole building will be divided into two distinct parts — one devoted to the community and the other to the work of the school and the accommodation of the boarders. For the first part the accommodation will consist of the following rooms :—: — Parlor, 14ft by l!>ft : community room, 23ft by l'.tft ; refectory, 18ft by 19ft ; choir, 10ft by 25ft with a sacristy loft by 7ft ; lay Sisters' room, 12ft by Lift : kitchen, 25ft by 10ft ; scullery, 15ft by loft ; all on the ground floor. On the upper floor will be" a study, 19ft by 2oft ; 1 1 cells. 14ft by !>ft ; together with three bath rooms, a dressing room and other conveniences. The second or school part of the building will have a refectory. 10ft by 10ft; class room, 1 lift by 25ft ; kindergarten, 10ft by 21ft : with an entrance porch, 7ft by lift all on the ground floor. On the upper floor will be a dormitory, >17ft by Oft and Itift high ; pantry, 10ft by 32ft ; two bath rooms, wardrobes, etc. All the ground floor will have a ceiling height of 14ft, and those rooms on the upper floor of 12ft. The whole of the interior of the building will be finished in a plain but substantial manner, some of the principal rooms will have zinc ceilings, all the rest af the building will be finished in plaster. 3lr. F. W. Petre of Dunedin is the architect, and Mr. Alex Gillies of Oamaru is the contractor.