NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SOUTH DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1916, Page 32

NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SOUTH DUNEDIN

The foundation stone of the new Catholic school. South Dunedin, will be blessed and. laid by his Lordship Bishop Verdon on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. His Lordship' Bishop Brodie will preach on the occasion. It is hoped there will be a large attendance at the ceremony.. The* erection of the new school will add yet another valuable addition to the list of substantial buildings that the Catholics of Dunedin have already erected. A one-storey building has been decided upon, owing to the treacherous nature of the foundations. It will, nevertheless, be a handsome addition to the architecture of Dunedin, and, as the top of the roof will be thirty feet above the footpath, it can readily be understood that the building will present an imposing appearance. The concrete foundations are about five feet high, and all well reinforced, so that if any settlement takes place the superstructure should not be in any way damaged. The walls outside are to be finished in picked red brick, which will be relieved with white bands, and some simple ornament. The gables are to be carried up in brick and relieved with lime-whitened copifigs.\ There are two entrances, both on the western side ; these are kept separate for the boys and the girls with the -teachers’ room in between. There are four large class-rooms, each 30ft by 25ft. These are all arranged along the sunny side, and are designed so as to have the maximum amount of sunshine and light. The windows are all steel casements, and are made with hopper vents at the bottom to allow of abundant fresh air without any possibility of down draughts, while fanlights are fitted to the upper parts of all windows to provide outlets for the vitiated air. In addition to the splendid ventilation from the windows, shut-off vents are placed in the walls to allow for the inflow of fresh air, while large ceiling vents are connected by exhaust flues to ventilating cowls placed on the ridge. By these means it is hoped to keep the air as pure as it is reasonably possible. The walls will be all finished in granite plaster, with polished cement dadoes five feet high to all the rooms. The ceilings will be finished with asbestos sheets, so that there will be no danger of any cracks even though the building should settle- slightly. Ample cloak-room accommo.,;~n is provided at both entrances. The building will be lighted throughout with electric light, and provision has been made for installing a hot water heating system. Altogether, this new school should prove most useful for the purpose for which it is being erected; it will be substantial, and as sanitary and as easy to keep in good condition as it is possible to make it; in fact, depreciation should,., be practically eliminated. Mr. H. •Mandeno is the architect for the building, and . Messrs!* O’Connell and ' Nicolson are . the £O9? tractor®. ' ■ " ■