Building Notes

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 6, 1 February 1917, Page 883

Building Notes

AUCKLAND. A case of interest to architects was heard by Mr. A. Cooke, S.M., at the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court, when James Thomas Mannix, architect, New Plymouth, proceeded against Thomas Knowles, Moturoa, to recover the sum of £l4 Os. Id., alleged to be due to plaintiff for travelling expenses and other disbursements, including advertising, incurred in the erection of an hotel at Opunake for defendant. Knowles gave evidence that he thought the 5 per cent, charged for preparing plans and specifications and for supervising the building covered everything. The plaintiff stated he had informed Knowles that the charge made by architects was 5 per cent., a charge of 14 per cent, also being made to the contractors. Nothing was said about advertising or travelling expenses. After some argument judgment was given for plaintiff for the full amount claimed, leave to appeal being granted. One of the features of civic progress in Auckland during the past year has been the additions to the attractions of the Free Public Library and Art Gallery building. The old colonists’ museum and the new Art Gallery wing have enhanced the interest of the building in no small degree. The necessity of rendering the many treasures that the building contains as secure from fire as possible is not being forgotten by the City Council. The Mayor stated yesterday that a contract has been let for putting in ferro-concrete stairs and landings at the main entrance. The cost, £I4OO,

will be defrayed from the library rate of a penny in the pound. It is proposed to do similar work at the Art Gallery entrance next year. CANTERBURY. Good progress is being made with the new building under construction at Canterbury College. The new lecture wing, fronting on Eolleston avenue, will be, when finished, a notable and pleasing feature of the architecture of the avenue. It is anticipated that this building will be completed for the beginning of the session in March. The Physics Laboratory is practically completed, and apparatus is at present being moved into it. This building should be ready for use in a few days. It is claimed for it that there is no other Physics Laboratory in the Dominion to compare with it.