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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 8. April 17 1978

Hunter

Hunter

There is a great deal of uncertainty at the moment over just what is happening to the Hunter building. Since John Marshall and others graced the save the building campaign with their support, and a report on "retrofitting" showed that there was a financially viable alternative which really did need serious consideration, the Council seem to have moved into a position of being seen as the major supporters of Hunter's salvation. This was not the case last year, but they will no doubt argue that with their financial estimates it would have been irresponsible to keep the building however much they might have privately wanted to.

This article is written by a member of "Friends of Hunter", a group of beneficient citizens who have the athletics of the university dear to their hearts. In it there is mention of two motions to go before SRC this week to get money from VUWSA for the campaign. In view of the amount of money we have already spent on this cause the financial association between Friends of Hunter and VUWSA needs to be carefully looked at.

Work on the conservation feasibility study for the brief provided by the University Council is progressing well.

The University Council is planning facilities for an expected roll of 10,000 students and now sees the Hunter site as a continuing focal point for the campus. It will house the presently displaced Music and Law Faculties, Administration, the Staff Club and University Extension. Detailed space planning is now being done.

The Kelburn Parade side of the area is to be made more functional and attractive with reorganised and land-scaped entries and parking. In future this is likely to be the main entrance and thoroughfare.

The building must comply with current earthquake, fire resistance and egress codes as well as the newly introduced Handicapped Persons' code. There is strong confidence that these spatial and structural requirements can be satisfactorily met in a "retrofitted" Hunter building, at a cost comparable to that of an entirely new building.

Close inspection of the exterior of the building by architects and engineers confirm that these external parts of the building, to be preserved in the conservation plan, are in surprisingly sound condition. The central and oldest section of the building (1904 Arts block designed by Penty & Blake) was built to the highest standards of of workmanship and materials (Welsh slates, local bricks and Oamaru stone) and is in excellent condition. The later additions of the Library (completed in 1922) and the Physics block (completed 1932) designed by Swan and Lawrence, were built on tighter budgets and have deteriorated more, although the Library wing is of almost the same quality as the Arts Block.

There have been discussions with New Zealand experts who have applied their skills in Venice and Angkor Wat on restoration and structural details. The City Council's surveyors have completed their detailed survey and architectural drafts are well past initial stages. Everyday, struct structural engineers, construction experts, architects and surveyors contribute more to the conservation study. At present there are over 780 "friends" of Hunter and $11,000 has been raised.

Continuing support from students is still very necessary.

At the SRC Wednesday 19th April in affirmation of Student Association policy to support all efforts to conserve the Hunter building there will be voting on two motions:
1.Friends of Hunter (Inc) be allowed use of Students' Association printing facilities to a maximum value of $120.
2.That the Student's Association donates the sum of $100 cash towards funding the conservation feasibility study at present being undertaken by Friends of Hunter (Inc).

The most important way individual students can show their support is in relation to a "Victoriana Bazaar" being held at Turnbull House Bowen Street, 2 p.m. Saturday 29th April next. There will be a focus on old objects of all descriptions (a periscope, hookah, Edwardian chairs and cartwheels have already been given). So bric-a-brac, pictures etc. are highly appreciated. However anything saleable is wanted, (therefore you can give your old books, clothes, records, etc).

The success of the Bazaar will depend on each student who cares contributing one object (and there are 350+ paid-up student "Friends" so please hand in your object at 109 Salamanca Road as soon as possible or phone 793—616 re collection. Do not Forget.

Student membership cards should be picked up from the Students' Association office (They're very pretty so worth getting!)

Julia Buchanan

Drawing of Hunter building

The architects Penty & Blake's 1904 drawing for the Victoria College Building. This is a modification (notably the addition of another storey at the suggestion of Premier Seddon) of their 1903 competition-winning design. Due to the government's grant of only 31,000 towards buildings, the central section only was built. After the the First World War the present Library and Physics wings were erected to the designs designs of Swan & Lawrence (the firm Penty & Blake had evolved into). Shortage of funds meant the clock-tower was never built. The "ornamental contraptions" on the roof were mechanical ventilators designed by Sir Truby King.