CATHOLIC YOUTH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 13, 11 October 1943, Page 6

CATHOLIC YOUTH

Paul Hoskins Memorial

Centre WELLINGTON SITE SECURED

Since the death of Mr. Paul Hoskins, Wellington, two years ago, there has been a movement to do something of a permanent and useful character to perpetuate his memory. It was decided that the best form of memorial would be a hostel for Catholic youth, in which be was much interested and for which no provision had specifically been made in the past. It was increasingly evident that some institution of the kind was urgently required, specially as so many young men from other parts of New Zealand were gravitating to Wellington. Subscriptions were willingly given, and there is now a fairly substantial rum in hand. It is now considered that a larger project than a hostel is required. Those immediately interested have formulated the idea of providing a real Catholic Youth .Centre in which the hostel will be incorporated. Toward that end a site has now been secured. It is three-eighths of an acre in Tasman Street, contiguous to the Marist Brothers School. This is considered to be' a suitable .site, as it is only two or three minutes’ walk from the trams, and is within five or six minutes’ walk of the Basin Reserve, St. Patrick's College, St. Joseph’s Church, the National Art Gallery and the Wellington Technical College. The committee has been fortunate enough to secure this property from the Sullivan estate at considerably below its actual value. The property has a frontage of 122 feet to Tasman Street, and a depth of 138 feet. On the property is a 14-roomed apartment house of timber construction.

• It is not at present intended to use this building as a hostel, but the present tenancy will continue till a later date, possibly till a permit is secured to erect the new premises in reinforced concrete for the Catholic Youth Centre. In the meantime, Edmund Anscombe and Associates are preparing plans for a reinforced concrete swimming pool, to be built in the grounds. The pool will be 75 feet by 25 feet, and its possession will be an immediate asset for the pupils of the Marist Brothers’ School next door. If all goes well, it may b? possible to complete this pool during the coming summer, by January next it is hoped. No opportunity will be missed to push on with the major scheme of providing Wellington with a Catholic Youth Centre that will be a credit to the city.