Building Notes.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 11, 1 July 1919, Page 558

Building Notes.

AUCKLAND.

A new science building for the Auckland University College was formally opened recently by the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen). The new building is centrally situated, and provides for the study of chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. The site of the building is that of the old Choral Hall, and while the greater part of it is new, the original facade has been retained, and the additions made in conformity with the original design. The Auckland University College Council has now expended upon the site of the Choral, after consultation with 1 the responsible heads of the Government, and with their sanction and approval, the following sums: —Purchase of Choral Hall building, £4000; erection of School of Mines and,Engineering, £2000; erection and equipment of science building, £25,000. To these sums must be added the value of the site, which is not less than £SOOO, making a total of £36,000. A large portion of this expenditure will have been wasted if a grant of adjacent land for the erection of buildings for the other fa-' culties of the college is not secured. The sum of £109,000 promised by Sir Joseph Ward, as Prime Minister, in 1910, college including repayments of the expenditure already colllege, including repayments of the expenditure already incurred on the science building. Messrs W. A. Cummings and Goldsbro' were the architects for the building, which consists of 34 rooms, including four lecture rooms, private studios for members of the staff, and biological museum. There are also dark-rooms for the preparation of lantern slides of each department. The building is lighted throughout with electricity, and special 'attention has been paid to lighting and ventilation. The. upper floor and stairway are. fireproof, and built of reinforced concrete.

The erection of a public library at Albany as a memorial to local soldiers who fell in the war, has been decided upon by the residents of that district.

The scheme for the extension of the buildings in Shortland and Fort streets now known as the Hobson Buildings, which were purchased by the National Bank' of New Zealand in 1914, is about to bo put into effect. The Shortland street section of the block will be pulled down and will be replaced by a five-storey .modern structure. The Fort street section of the building, which was erected only a few years ago, will not be materially altered. The plans for the new building are now being prepared.

'Various sites at Mount Albert, which have been, suggested as suitable for 'the proposed new Grammar School for boys, have been inspected by the assistant-director of education, Mr. J. Caughley, in company with the chairman of the Grammar School Board, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, the Hon. G. J. Garland, and Messrs 0. J. Parr, M.P., and G. W. Murray, members of the board, and Mr. W. A. Gumming, architect to the board. It was decided to recommend to the Department the acquisition of a central area, consisting of about 15 acres, within easy distance of the railway and tramway. The board has approved of plans prepared by Mr. W. A. Camming, for two school boardinghousesone for boys and one for girls—each to accommodate 56 pupils. Mr. dimming has been authorised _to go to Wellington at a date to be arranged for the purpose of submitting the plans to the officers of the Department, with the object of obtaining approval. If a grant can be obtained during the coming session of Parliament the board proposes to erect one building at the southern end of the grounds of the Mount Eden Grammar School, witli adjoining kitchen and dining halll, where luncheon will also be supplied to day boys requiring it. Should the innovation prove successful, the board proposes to erect other similar buildings.

Suggested sites for the proposed new school at Parnell were viewed by members of the Auckland Eucation Board receently.

The Auckland St. Andrew's Society recently held its annual meeting. Mr. J. M. Mennie presided. Mr. J. Arneil suggested that an endeavour should be made to obtain funds for the erection of a statue to Scotland's national poet. Mr. Mennie offered to defray the cost of erecting the statue and mentioned that he was prepared to find £IOOO or more if required for the purpose. He had further anticipated the needs and ambitions of the society by an offer to acquire and build a hall, containing rooms and 'offices. The details of this offer were not yet available as the land, which adjoined the Lyric theatre in Symonds street, had just been acquired by the promoter. The sum paid for this alone amounted to £6OOO. ,

The necessity for a hospital in Te Kui'ti has been the subject of discussion -among the local bodies interested for years £ast. Definite action is now being taken, and it has been agreed to suggest to the Waikato Hospital Board a 10roomed concrete structure for maternity patients, and an accident ward at a. cost not exceeding £5900. During the month Messrs Chilwell and Trevithick called for tenders- for alterations and additions to a house at King’s Parade, Dovonport, in wood. Mr. John Farrell called for tenders for the erection of a manual and technical school building (in brick), at Hamilton; also for tenders for additions (in wood), to the Eureka school building, both for the Auckland Education Board. Mr. G. T. Murray called for tenders for the new post office (wood), at Walton. Messrs Edward Mahoney and Sons called for tenders for additions to St. Bendict’s school, Newton. Messrs Wilson and Moodic invited tenders for extensive alterations to the Victoria Arcade. % CHRISTCHURCH. A revival of building operations in Christchurch is indicated by the number of permits issued by the city surveyor recently. During May 39 building permits were issued, representing a value of £32,530, as against 16 permits representing £17,150 for May, 1918. In the previous month 41 permits, representing a value of £41,300, were issued, as against *32 permits, representing £35,650, for April, 1918. His Lordship Bishop Brodie opened the new buildings of the parish school recently. Two large and airy class-rooms and cloak-rooms have recently been built, and the paths surrounding the buildings have been asphalted, involving an expenditure of £IO7O, the builders being Messrs Fullwood and Hay and the architects Messrs England Bros. During the month Messrs Guthrie invited tenders for residence (concrete), at Mayfield, Ashburton County. Mr. McEnnis, District Engineer, called for tenders for the erection of a post office (brick), at Papanui, and also for tenders for addition to the Rangiora post office. Messrs England Bros, called for tenders for the erection of residence

in Heathfleld avenue, Fondalton. Mr. John Barlow invited tenders for the erection of a billiard room in brick for Canterbury Bowling Club. Mr. L. G. Harrison invited tenders for a residence in Brown’s road, St. Albans. Mr. J. S. Guthrie called for tenders for new offices (brick) for the National Mortgage and Agency Co., of New Zealand, Ltd. WANGANUI. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Co., Ltd., called for tenders for the erection of a three-storied brick warehouse in Ridgway street. WHANGAREI. The necessity for a now fire station was emphasised at. the annual meeting of the Whangarei Fire Board recently. The superintendent. Mr. Chissell, urged the erection of a fireproof building owing to the danger to the plant. It was decided that the time had come when a new and up-to-date station should be erected. The secretary was instructed to communicate with Gisborne, Hamilton, Rotorua, and New Plymouth with a view to obtaining plans. WELLINGTON. The proposals of the Wellington City Council for the erection of 500 houses are outlined by the Mayor,. Mr. J. P. Luke, as follows:—It is intended to borrow as a start £50,000 to build 80 homes. That will mean l-15d annually on the unimproved value of property in Wellington, and Mr. Luke said he was sure that owners of such property would not begrudge such extra taxation to provide interest and sinking fund. He would suggest that the general Government should guarantee the loan at 5 per cent., with a 1 per cent, sinking fund. If the money cost more than 5 per cent, the Government should out of the Consolidated Fund, make up the difference, as its share to a great betterment scheme in the Empire City.