Building Notes.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 8, 1 April 1919, Page 485

Building Notes.

AUCKLAND. The managers of St. George's Presbyterian Church. Takapuna, have decided to proceed with the erection of a manse in the rear portion of the church grounds. Liberal subscriptions have been raised by the congregation, and tenders for the erection of a seven-roomed house were called for by. Messrs Holman and Moses. The Hospital Board have decided to take steps to establish a tubercular home in the Auckland hospital district. Messrs Bond and Bond called for tenders for alterations and additions to house at Mount Eden. Messrs Chilwell and Trevithick called for tenders during the month for altering and enlarging a residence at Heme Bay road. Mr John Farrell asked for tenders for additions (in brick), to the Pukekohe school recently, and also for tenders for the erection of a school building (in wood) at Kaipaki, near Ohaupo. Mr Horace Hammond invited tenders for a concrete water tower for the Kaipari Hospital Board. Mr Daniel Paterson invited tenders for the removal of building and re-erection at Newmarket. Messrs Holman and Moses called for tenders for additions to residence, Remuera. Mr G. Selwyn Goldsbro invited tenders for house in wood at Rangitoto Terrace, Milford. Mr Phil. P. Garrett called for tenders for the erection of residence in wood at Mount Albert. Mr John Rot-ley invited tenders for the removal and reinstatement of wooden building and for building two brick shops at corner of Dominion road and Prospect terrace.

CHRISTCHURCH. The new Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street north, was formally opened last month. The new building connects with the existing chapel and school-room, and has been erected behind the old convent building, which is to be removed. It is built in the Gothic style, the front being of Halswell bluestone with Oamaru stone facings. The en-

trance is supported by five Gothic arches with columns and capitals. On the ground floor is the entrance lobby on each side of which is a parlour. From the main corridor two flights of stairs lead to the first floor. On the ground floor, on the left side of the corridor, is the science room, behind which is the commercial room off which is the children's dining room; on the light side of the corridor is the infirmary, bath-room, and lavatory accommodation, behind which is the community room, a large kitchen, scullery and pantry, and refectory. On the first floor there are 36 bedrooms, three bathrooms, two huge looms, and lavatory accommodation. From the upstairs corridor a stair leads to the flat roof. The architect for the new building was Mr J. H. Guthrie, and the contractors were Messrs B. Moore and yon. It is estimated that the main building will cost about £II,OOO. Arrangements for the installation of. the automatic telephone system in Christchurch are well in hand. For a considerable time now the foundations have been down in Hereford street for the building, on the top storey of which the Christchurch Automatic Exchange will be located, the two ground floors being occupied by Post Office departments. This building is to be proceeded with straight away, and when it is completed the apparatus in the original Colonial Bank premises will be shifted to a suburban exchange.

The new technical buildings in connection with the Southbridge District High School are nearing completion. Provision is being made for instruction in woodwork, science, agriculture, agricultural botany, agricultural chemistry, oairy science, domestic science, and laundry work. The foundation stone of the Upper Eieeartoii Memorial was laid recently. The building, which is on a site in Kiccarton road, facing Hanson's lane, will be of brick, and will take the place of the old library in Hanson's lane. In one of the rooms will be placed a marble slab chronicling the names of the Eicearton lads who served in the war.

The foundation stone of the new offices for the Christchurch Tramway Board, situated in the south-eastern corner of Cathedral square, was laid early this month by the Hon. John Barr, M.L.C., the chairman of the Board. The section was purchased for £6000; the first estimate tor the building was £18,722, subsequently increased by £6OO owing to the necessity of putting in deeper and more secure foundations; when completed the total cost would be £19,000, or probably £20,000. The building for the Board 's new offices had been designed by one of the Board's staff, Mr 11. T. W. Aid.ennan. New Zealand stone was to be used — ground floor in Timaru stone (of which the foundation stone was an excellent example), and the first and second storeys of Oamaru stone of approved quality. The foundations are strong enough to carry another storey should it be required in the future. The top storey of the building to be erected at present would be let to the Lyttelton Harbour Board for its offices.

Mr W. S. Anderson invited tenders for the erection of bungalow, Barrington street. The Canterbury Education Board invited fresh tenders for the erection of additions, in brick, to the Somerfield school. Mr Roy Lovell-Smith. is inviting tenders for the erection of additions to residence at Kidson terrace, Cashmere Hills; and also for the erection of residence in brick at Monck's Bay, Redcliffs. Messrs Maddison and Brown invite tenders for garage in brick in Durham street. Mr J. S. Guthrie invites tenders for residence at Staveley; also for motor workshop (in brick), Tuam street. Mr J. F. Alminings called for tenders for a residence in wood, Alerivale lane. Mr J. S. Guthrie called for tenders for residence, l'apanui road. Messrs Turnbull raid Rule, of Timaru, invited tenders for the erection of a two-storey brick residence at Bingley, North Canterbury.

DUNEDIN. The City Council recently agreed to a proposal to raise a loan of £27,000 for the erection of workers' dwellings. A jaw hospital, for facially deformed soldiers, is practically assured for Dunedin. The Hospital Board has made the Government a definite offer, and the Red Cross Society stands behind the Board. It is believed that nothing further is required but formal approval by the Minister of the site chosen. .' '

HAMILTON. Mr C A. Vautier called for tenders for the erection of a garage for Mr H. H. Shand. Messrs Daniell and Cray invite tenders for the removal of Westcourt boardinghousc and for alteration and additions. HENDERSON. A new post office is to be erected at Henderson, and the preparation of plans is now being carried out by.the Public Works Department. At the'instance of Mr C. J. Parr, M.P.. for Eden, a grant of £IOOO for a new post office was placed on the Estimates two years ago, but owing to the war, theerection of a building was postponed. As the result of correspondence with the Department, however, Mr Parr was informed recently by the Postmaster-General that a new post office is to be erected. Plans are to be prepared immediately for the erectioi of a building at Henderson suitable for housing the telephone exchange, which it is proposed to instal in the near future. ■ Mr A. J. Palmer, of Auckland, called for tenders for additions to the Garth, Lincoln road. HAITI, GISBORNE. A Maori memorial church is about to be erected at Kaiti, Gisborne, on the site of the old church which was formerly a prominent feature of the native settlement on the Kaiti side of the Turanganui River. The old wooden building which stood beside the native burial ground, has been demolished for some time, and the erection of the new church lias ben held over until the conclusion of the war, it being the wish of the Maori people to make it a fitting memorial to their kith and kin who have fallen. Tenders have already been called for by Messrs Clcre and Williams, Wellington, and Messrs Burr and Murfield, Gisborne.

MERIVALE. It is proposed to build a new church at Merivale, and make it a memorial to those who gave up their lives in tin war. It is aimed to raise £20,000 is possible. NGARUAWAHIA. A Maori Council Chamber erected by the Waikato and Maniapoto tribes as a place for the holding of tribal discussions, and of framing resolutions and suggestions to bo forwarded to Parliament, was opened at Ngaruawahia recently. It is intended to hold sittings of the council twice annually for the discussion of matters affecting the native*. The building has been erected in the centre of the Ngaruawahia township. Externally the council chamber is not unlike a very modern Maori house. Though built" of brick on a concrete foundation, the essential features of the native architecture have been retained. The frontal porch is supported by two grotesquely-carved pillars, which in turn bear the carved gable pieces, and terminate at the angle in a

large tcko teko post. The main building is comprised of the largo central chamber flanked by smaller rooms at either end. Maori carving stained with red ochre forms an integral part of the external ornaments. The walls are of stucco, a pale yellow tint. The roof is of red tiles. NAPIER. A deputation from the Hawkes Bay Education Board wailed on the Minister for Education (Hon. J. A. Hunan), recently to ask for a Government grant of £15,000 spread over three years, and a pound for pound subsidy on local donations'towards the building of the Napier High School; also a grant for a hostel. It' was estimated that the cost of the new school would be between £50,000 and £60,000. The Minister stated that he wanted to help the board; but. he had to consider the money available and the demands from other districts. After the Department had made a careful examination of the plans and reported To him, ho would be prepared to recommend Cabinet to approve a grant, but not up to £15,000. The question of a subsidy would have to be settled by Cabinet after the grant was approved. He was also prepared to consider recommending Cabinet to approve a sum towards the cost of the hostel. NEW PLYMOUTH. At the beginning of the month Sir James Allen formally opened the new buildings of the Boy's High School to replace those destroyed by fire. The contract price was £7SOO. The new buildings include a large assembly hail, erected through-the efforts of the Citizens' Committee, who raised £2OOO to which the Government added a subsidy of £IOOO. Mr Thos. H. Bates invited tenders for the erection o,' offices and warehouse for Messrs John Avery, Ltd.; also for garage, offices, showrooms, etc., for Messrs H. Derby and Co. PALMERSTON NORTH. News has been received that a grant of £IO,OOO has been authorised for the erection of a girls' high school at Palmerston North. The work is to be preceded with immediately. THAMES. Mr G. W. Allsop invited tenders for Nurses' Home (wood), Thames Hospital. TAUMARUNUI. Messrs Atkins, Bacon and .Mitchell, of Wellington, invited tenders for the erection of new premises at Taumarunui for the Bank of Australasia, Ltd. WELLINGTON. It is more than probable that the Wellington Technical Education Board will call for competitive designs for the new Technical College. Mr George Frost, chairman of the board, stated that to complete the new college as planned would probably cost £70,000. The sum of £30,000 was looked upon as immediately available, made up of £15,000 promised by the City Council in return for the Mercer street block, occupied by the Technical Education Board's workshops and tennis court, and £15,000 subsidy guranteed by the Government. The latter was to be made available when the City Council paid over the first £SOOO of its £15,000 contribution, which is expected at an early date. The actual work of construction would be definitely started within three months' time, and should b-3 finished in under two years. It was the intention of the board to approach the Minister for Justice forthwith iu connection with his promise made in May last to provide material and labour for the foundations of the building. Tenders were called for by the Wellington Harbour Board for the erection of a brick store in Taranaki sticct. Messrs Clere and Williams invited tenders for the church of St. Matthias, Makara in reinforced concrete. Messrs Swan and Swan called for tenders for the erection of a residence at Island Bay. WANGANUI. Messrs Atkins, Bacon and Mitchell invited seperate tenders for the erection of: (a) fourth house block, (b) music block, (c) stewards' house at Wanganui College.