KING’S COLLEGE.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 649, 12 July 1921, Page 9

KING’S COLLEGE.

SMEW SITE AT I! ASM GERE.

BUILDING .IN COURSE OF

ERECTION

NEED FOR FURTHER ACCOM-

MODATION

Owing to the inadequacy of the accommodation at Remuera for boys attending the King’s College, a splendid site was acquired some time ago for the erection of buildings, the need of which has been felt for some years past. This site comprises a large level tract of land adjacent to the Mangere railway station and extending from the Mangere Road to the boundary of the Middlemore links of the- Auckland Golf Club, Work in connection with the actual erection of the buildings was commenced several months ago, but progress was comparatively slow until the foundations were laid. Now the buildings are steadily rising and are becoming essentially a feature of the landscape. They are on a scale commensurate with the anticipated requirements for years to come» The sits is 43 acres in extent, every square yard of which is available for use. The plan, which was chosen by the Board of. Governors, is entirely on modern lines, and comprises school buildings, with facilities for education, dormitories, and a large administrative block. Mr E. A. Pearce, of Selwyn Road, Epsom, secured the contract for the first instalment of the work, at a tender of £40,000.

On Modqrn and Approved Lines.

The workmen are at present engaged in building the extensive administrative block, which consists of a dining room and kitchen,' a laundry, a well-equipped gymnasium, as well as residential quarters and provisions for the comfort of the headmaster abd the staff of domestics. Provisions has been made for the accommodation of 150 boarders, and to give ample room at meal time there is a large dining room, 113 ft long and 35ft wide. The kitchen will be situated adjacent to the dining room and will be fitted with all modern conveniences and facilities to minimise labour and assist in the preparing, cooking, ancl serving of food. ihe laundry, too, is designed oh the most model o and approved .lines, and will occupy „ large building. There will be two floors for the gymnasium, having a floor space of 3500 square feet, and equipment considered conducive to the best physical will be found there. The materials of which the buildings are being constructed include red pressed bricks for the outer facings, and concrete tiles for/the work. These latter have a cement finish on the exposed surface, rendering them smooth and glassy and quite impermeable to water.

High Prices Hamper Work.

The high prices whicli now obtain among building materials of all descriptions have? resulted in using up the funds at the disposal of the Board of Governors more quickly than was formerly anticipated, and certain temporary curtailments of expenditure are thus rendered necessary. Under the circumstances it has been decided to put up structures which will serve the purpose, though somewhat less adequately, until the further costs can be met and the permanent buildings completed. It is hoped and confidently expected that the block ‘of new buildings wifi be* completed and ready for use 'ey March of next year. The stocks of materials at present on the ground will keep the men busy for some time to come and,, in the meantime, the contractor is using all due expediency to expedite tthe work.

Extensive Athletitc Sports Grounds

Taking a view of the new scheme as a whole, there is one' feature in particular which is sure to appeal to the public. That is the extensive area allocated for playing areas and athletic sports. To prepare these with a good grass sward, the paddock adjoining' the road has been ploughed, up and left to fallow preparatory to being planted with seed. This part of the work will be carried out next autumn. in the meantime shelter belts of macrocarpa are being planted and shrubs set in various positions about the ground should ultimately oive a picturesque appearance. When the trees have grown the grounds, nreviously exposed to the full v’gur of the prevalent .westward winds, will be particularly cosy. Stables to accommodate three horses and halt a dozen cows have already been elected, wild: special provision for the storing of fodder to carry over the winter months. It is anticipated tna, the cows will supply all the mill: required 'for the hoarding bun n\s of the school. .To further reduce the cost of running the school a garden, which will be under special supervision and management, wii. be cujt.--vrd'ed to ensure an ample supply oi table; . hU’ainage req. :i Kni W t have already oeon cite; ceil i • '• '■

tile drains leading into main ducts

should .result in keeping the ground comparatively dry in winter.

Gift from OSd Boys

The old hoys of the college have made known their desire to build a /chapel kt Mangere as a memorial to the ex-pupils who made the supreme sacrifice in the recent war. It is hoped that all former students who are not in direct touch with the Old Boys’. Association will communicate with that body if they feel inclined to support so worthy an object. They confidently expect that the worthiness of their appeal will commend -itself to all former scholars and inv peF them to renew their foremr loyalty to the school by raising a movement that will be regarded with pride in future years.