PUKEKOHE'S NEW VICARAGE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 89, 29 September 1915, Page 2

PUKEKOHE'S NEW VICARAGE.

Viewing the excellent vicarage just erected by the members of tbe Church ot England in Pukekohe it seems difficult to realise that it is only just tea years pince the Parochial District of Pukekohe was formed and enly nine years since a Church of England clergyman made Pukekohe the headquarters of his district. At that time all the property the Church had in Pukekohe was a quarter acre ot land on which the Chu'ch, before its enlargement, stood. Efforts were then made to purchase a piece of land adjoining the Church as a sice for a new Church and vicarage, but owing to the lite interest held by Mr Mills in the propeity it was found to be impossible. Consequently a piece of land was purchased in Weit street and a bou?e erected thereon. When ths Mills Estate was placed on the market a y«.-ar or two ago the Church took steps at once to secure a piece of land next the Church to afford room for the erection of a much larger building, which is becoming almost a ncccs ity, and to allow of the present building being used as a Parish Hall and Sunday School. To do this it was found best to sell the property in Wtst street to assist in providing a fund for the purchase of the land and the erection of a new house, still leaving room between the Church and vicarage tor a site fcr a new Church. The vicarage portion of the scheme was brought to successful isiuc on Saturday last, when the Rev. Canon E. J. McFarlar.d, of Auckland, cama to assist at the opening function. This took the form ot a service in the Church when after a shortened Evensong had been said by tbe Vicar, the Kev F. B. Dabson, Canon McFarlasd preached an excellent strrnoi', taking for hiß text the words of tbe eighth verse ot the one hundred and twenty-first psalm, "The Lord shall preserve thy sung out and thy coming in from this time forth for evermore. ' After the sermon tbe Canon said special prayers, asking for a blessing upon tbe house and those who should dwell therein. lh: seivice being over, tbe large congregatir.n adjourned to tbe vicarage, where the Ladies' Guild had suppied an ample cupply of refreshments. All present were loud in their praise of the excellence of the design furnished by tbe honorary architect, Mr F. W. Mountjoy.

The new vicarage is constructed with brick outer walls on reinforced concrete foundations. The construction is quite new to Pukekohe, the building being tbe first of its kind eric ted here. There is a considerable cavity between the brick outtr walls and the woodwork inner walls, thus making the building damp proof in all weathers. The reception ball is panelled in old English ttyle. At the junction between the reception hail and back hall is a very neat grille arch, tintsted with panel work above. Entrance to the study, living room and front bedroom n obtained from the reception hall. The study is well lighted with a nicely-designed leadlight window on one wall and a fine large window on the front. The living room is a tine large room with a massive built-out window, a s3at being built in full length. The front bedroom is exceptionally well lighted and ventilated. The kitchen, three bedrooms and bathroom are all off the back ball. The kitchen has been well designed for utility. It is well lighted and ventilated with largo mullion window?. Water is laid on over tbe range. Ulf the kitchen is a fine large scullery with sink set in and hot and cold water over same. Off the scullery is a most convenient larder, with shelves neatly fitted in. From the scullery access to the back verandah is obtained and off this verandah in the laundry with every convenience necessary The whole of the drainage system is well laid throughout. Large septic tanks are provided for the sanitary drainage and a soak hole carried down to scoria level takes the water off the whole of tbe roof, together with the effluent from the septic tacks. Great praise is due to Mr W. U. Fausetr, the contracto-, lor the excellent workmanship he put into tha building, under the instructions of the architect, Mr F. \V. Mountjoy. Mr W. S. Russell, of Pukekohe, waa responsible for the plumbing work and tbe hot water system is of exceptional merit Tho building fis 62 feet long over all in tha front and has a depth of 66 feet. A commodious stable, trapshed and feed room are provided some distance from tbe residence. The contract price was £972.