Building Notes

Progress, Volume XVII, Issue 5, 1 January 1922, Page 118

Building Notes

AUCKLAND. At a meeting of the Auckland University College Council, held towards the close of last month, Mr. R. A. Lippincott, of the firm of Lippincott and Billson, architects, of Melbourne, submitted detailed plans of the proposed new Arts building. The plans contained various alterations on those previously submitted, and, after they had been considered in committee, it was decided to submit them to the Minister for Education for approval. Plans were also submitted for the proposed new Students’ Building, which is to be erected at a cost of £15,000, by funds raised by the Students’ Association, a Government subsidy, and a contribution from the College Council. The plans provide for a two-storey building, the upper storey being reserved for the women students, and the lower one for the men. Both women’s and men’s departments will be provided with common rooms. A common lunch room for both sexes is situated upstairs. The men’s department is provided with a large billiard room containing three full-sized tables, and a room for the _ Association’s committee. It was agreed to submit copies of the plans to the Students’ Association for an expression of opinion.

It is anticipated that the erection of two new blocks of buildings, to cost over £200,000, will be commenced in Queen Street early this year. The Auckland Savings Bank has acquired the adjoining property, this making a frontage of 58ft. extending through to Lome Street. The trustees have instructed the bank’s architect, Mr. D. B. Patterson, to prepare sketch plans of a new building to occupy the available space and partially include the present bank, the accommodation of which is inadequate. The property adjoining has been acquired by the Coliseum Proprietary, the block having a frontage of 77ft. to Queen Street and a lesser extent where it connects with Lome Street. The proposal is to build a theatre block on this site. Official intimation of a £2,000 legacy to the Young Women’s Christian Association from the estate of the late Mrs. Amy Daldy was received from the: executors at the monthly meeting of the. Board of Directors. A decision has been made to utilise the bequest in building an annexe to their present' temporary hostel. For this purpose Messrs. Prouse and Cummer have called tenders for an erection in brick of an addition to the hostel in Scotia Place.

Tenders were called during December by Mr. Goldsbro’, of Auckland, for the erection of brick shop and stables, in Takapuna, on behalf of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd. ASHBURTON. The Carnegie corporation of New York have promised £1,750 to provide a Free Public Library, and in connection with this, an Ashburton resident has offered a gift of £I,OOO if the library is gone on with. CHRISTCHURCH. Of the houses being erected by the Labour Department »n the Northcote settlement, nineteen have been completed. The Department is still accepting applications for houses in this settlement. Messrs. J. S. and M. J. Guthrie invited tenders during December for extensions to “ Joyland ” Picture Theatre. Mr. R. Lovell-Smith called for tenders for the erection of a brick house in Upper Riccarton. The Canterbury Education Board will receive tenders this month for additions in brick to the Fairlie School. HAMILTON. Mr. D. B. Patterson, of Auckland, called for tenders last month for the erection of a theatre in Hamilton. Messrs. Edgecumbe and White invited tenders for the erection of a gymnasium, in concrete, for the Y.M.C.A. at Hamilton. PUKEKOHE. Mr. John Routley invited tenders during December for erection, in brick, of a two-storey building at Pukekohe. WAITOA (TE AROHA). Mr. John- Farrell, of Auckland, invited tenders this month for the erection of a new school building (in wood).

WHAKAPIRAU. The Auckland Public Works Office this month invited tenders for a new post office at Whakapirau. WELLINGTON. The Department of Health invited tenders for the erection of a shelter at Quail Island. Various new methods of construction have been tried and tested, especially in concrete (reports the Housing Department). Six different methods in concrete have been used at the Miramar works. It has been found that of the concrete and brick systems the small concrete-slab hollow-wall construction and the ordinary brick hollowwall construction are the most speedy in erection. They are the most economical in the weekly cost of rental, and make the best houses to live in. Different roofing materials have been used, of which the terracotta tile is so far found to be the most satisfactory. On account of the difficulty in procuring joinery for windows, steel casements have been used in some of the dwellings. These are found to be watertight, and are suitable for brick or concrete houses.