Building Notes

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 5, 1 January 1917, Page 858

Building Notes

AUCKLAND. Mr. G. W. Alls op is inviting tenders for the erection of the new building which is to be erected on Waterloo Quadrant, next to the Magistrate’s Courthouse, as offices for the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The plans provide for a structure in two storeys and a basement, with brick and stucco facade. On the ground floor will be a spacious public office, which, together with the vestibule,

will occupy a space of 23-ft. by 24-ft., the rear portion being devoted to the relieving officer’s department, equipped with separate waiting-rooms for men and women, and accommodation for the staff. On the upper floor is to be a. boardroom, 384-ft. by 32-ft., situated at the bach of the building, while the front rooms are to be occupied by the dental hospital. A new wing has recently been added to the Art Gallery at a cost of £4,000. It was officially opened last month. The new wing opens from the McKelvie Gallery, with a broad, shallow, flight of steps, and a line effect has been obtained by the hanging of the striking picture "Greek Horsemen,” by Frank Calderon, E.A., immediately opposite the main entrance to the gallery. The new room is 100-ft. by 33-ft., being divided by projecting double lonic columns into three sections. The interior design enables the pictures to show up well against the subdued grey-green tinting of the walls. A new method of lighting has been adopted, the light being admitted through, side-windows and diffused by a curved glass ceiling. The whole building is thoroughly fireproof, and is modelled on the design of one of the rooms in the National Gallery of New South Wales. At a meeting of the University College Council last month, it was stated that - a letter had been sent to the chancellor of the university stating that the council had been surprised to find that there was no prospect of the Council receiving an annual grant frcm the New Zealand Institute of Architects in connection with the proposed school of architecture. The University Senate had made two annual grants from the national endowment fund, but these would not enable the council to do more than appoint two lecturers, who probably would be practising architects. The council could not undertake to appoint a professor to devote his whole time to the subject. It was resolved that the Senate be asked to approve of the appointment of two lecturers. Tenders for the erection of a school building at Horotiu and for a technical school at Mataniata were accepted at £663 and £473 respectively at a recent meeting of the Education Board.

The middle flight of steps leading to the chief post office front Queen Street was opened to the public yesterday, following upon the improvements which have, been effected. Porcelain “nosings” have been added to each step to afford a wider and surer foothold. Each step is now 12-in. wide, instead of IOJ-in. The surface of each nosing is corrugated and the ridges, it is said, never become smooth or slippery. The result of the improvements effected is that people mounting the steps are able to do so with greater confidence and comfort. The other flights are to be attended to in their turn. We hope Wellington Post Office will have the same consideration as Auckland has had, the steps being almost identical and a constant source of danger.

The official opening of the Kakepuku cheese factory took place last month in the presence of a large number of settlers, the lion. G. W. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs declaring the factory open. DUNEDIN. Mr. 11. Abbott, of Dunedin, has secured the tender for the erection of two fields inspectors’ residences at Tupanui and Ranfurly respectively. Each building will cost about £9OO. The Presbyterians of St. Holier Bay, Dunedin, built a church on Saturday, allotting to themselves the time between sunrise and sunset to have it completed and ready for Sunday’s service. It is no small feat to convert a stacked! timber into a church in such a short while, and the 35 men engaged had a busy time. The church is 45-ft. by 24-ft. The local Public Works Department has received authority to proceed with the erection of an explosives magazine on a site secured on the Wingatui side of the Chain Hills tunnel,,A residence for the magazine keeper will also be constructed. Messrs Salmond and Vanes, A.E.1.8.A., have been instructed by the City Council to proceed with the erection. Mr. E. A. Anscombe, as reported fully in another part of this issue, has been notified by the Wanganui Borough Council that he has been appointed architect for the erection of the Sargeant Art Gallery, and has been requested to proceed at once with the preparation of contract, plans, etc. Mr. Anscombe was the successful competitor in the best design for the gallery out of 33 competitors.