THE ORPHAN HOME.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 705, 7 February 1922, Page 7

THE ORPHAN HOME.

PLANS FOR COMPLETION. UP-TO-DATE BUILDINGS. PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK. MORE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED. (Continued). The complete plan pitovides for a central administrative block, flanked by two pavilions on each side, with the dining room behind the central block, and kitchen, sto:ie rooms, and laundry in the rear. Pending ;the acquisition of the necessary funds the cenral, or administative, block, and one of the four dormitory buildings have been omitted fi'om the complete scheme originaly approved by the Board.

Arrangdmeni of Build,ings.

The pavilions run approximately north and south, and will be connected with the central block and one another by a covered way, open at the sides and divided aong the centre, so as to provide a sheltered yet open gangway in all weathers, and a sheltered outdoor playroom both in summer and winter,. ,

A small isolation cottage of two rooms jis provided in case of the outbreak of infectious disease.

The school house is designed to met the requirements of a primary course of instruction, on the same lines as those of the Government Education Department; but owing to he high cost of maintenance this school has been discontinued during the past twelve months, and the children in the upper classes have been educated at the local State school.

An Interesting Chapel.

No]t included in the original plan is a chapel built in brick, the foundation stone of which was laid in September, 191 S, by the Bishop on St. Matthew’s Day. This foundation stone was formerly part of the famous “Bell Henry Tower,” of Canterbury Cathedral, Englanad. In the chapel is a marble font of peculiar interest from its composition. It was the gift of a life-long friend of the Home, Mrs Kinder, and ijt stands on a stone from (1) Old St. Thomas’ College. The step contains a tile taken from Winchester Cathedral. The slab on the floor level is made up of (1) a piece of the Marsden Cross at jthe Bay of Islands, which was broken off in a storm; (2) a stone from the school for Maori girls at Pahia : (3) a stone from the old printing press buildings at Pahia ; (4) a stone from Ruatara’s pah, Bay of Islands ; (5) stone from Bishop Selwyn’s library at Keri Kerb The Administrative Block. The administrative block, which is to be the chief architectural feature, is a two-storied building, containing, besides the matron’s and servants’ quaifters, the offices and the workrooms, aso sleeping accommodation for the senior girls, who will be the matron’s special care. They are at present provided with separate cubicle rooms in the girls’ dormitory building. The high tower of the block jls to serve as a water tower for ordinary use and in the case of firefire. In December, 1907, the foundation stone of the administrative block was laid by the Rt. Hon. Wm. Lee Baron Plunkejt, K.Ci'M.G., Governor of New Zealand. Safe and Healthy Buildings. The aim of the Board has been to provide safe and heatlhy buildings, making provision for the care of those under their change at a standard not less than that reasonable by the State. During the last decadie this aim has been increasingly difficult of attainment, for the reason that the frequent requests to the Board to take in new orphans has kepft the accommodation fully taxed. Effort to Completee. To make room for children who have otheirwise to be turned away an effort is now being made to secure the necessary funds to complete the buildings,. The Home will probably benefit to the extent of a £2OOO share of the “campaign’’ money up to the present time ; but, seeing (that the remaining work is estimated to cost £15.000, the cause of the orphan must still appeal eloquently to the genrosity of those able to give something in recognition of the worldly benefits they eniov.

The hniblines, when completed accnrdimr to the o r ’fiinal p' ans chawn ni. in 1907 bv Mr Sehvvn Goldsboro, will he runner,- the finesh orphan bridinrvs i nfhe Dominion, and will )>e ?h 1 e to accommodate be twee on 12-7 a and 120 children.