In 1909 Edward Bartley was aged 70. He was at last enjoying a particularly buoyant economic climate for architects. Not since
the early 1880's had Auckland seen such a level of public works and new
construction in the commercial area of the city. This reflected a more general
confidence in the economy as a whole and Aucklanders enjoyed a higher standard
of living in 1908- 1914 than they were to achieve for quite some time
afterwards.
The brick building Edward
designed for the Royal Institute for the Blind in Parnell is familiar in
Auckland. Less well known is the fact that Edward's relationship with the
Institute, both personally and professionally, preceded that building by many
years.
In 1890 the Jubilee
celebrations in Auckland had been completed with a surplus of £155. It was suggested that this
surplus should be used to establish an Institute for the Blind.
The object of the proposed
institution was to provide basic education and instruction in a craft or skill
to enable the blind to earn their own living. The example of the Liverpool Blind Asylum was held up as a model. In 1891 the Institute moved to property at the Parnell end
of Manukau Rd which was altered to suit.
Additional ground beside the school was purchased. This
allowed the executive to agree to construct a school room, gymnasium, male
dormitory and new sanitary areas for the rapidly growing student body now in
residence.
Edward prepared plans for these additions. The gymnasium and the larger workshop were deferred for the time
being but the decision was made to proceed with the other new buildings, along
with the suggested fire precautions and improved water supply.
The additions were opened in
August 1892 and featured wide verandahs on the whole of the north side of each
block. The boys’ dormitory was considered generous - a room
32 x 55 feett was divided internally into four rooms, each with four beds.
About
this time the Institute Executive was attacked via Letters to the Editor accusing the gentlemen concerned of self promotion and cynical charitable gesturing.
Edward felt strongly enough
to reply swiftly in an angry defence of the organisation and the aims of the
Institute:
 |
| NZ Herald 25 August 1892 |
By 1898 the school had
outgrown the existing buildings. Fire safety was still a major concern. The Auckland members of the
Legislative Council were canvassed to approach the Premier for £5000 to erect
the main block required. While this lobbying was under way the inevitable
happened.
On 7 October 1898 fire broke out at the Blind Institute. Starting in
the outbuildings the fire was contained before it reached the main block,
mainly due to the availability of town supply water at key points on the
premises. Edward’s first designs for a two storey
brick building date from this time.
It was not until 1905 that plans for a masonry
building could be realised. A Government subsidy of £2500, along with a further
bequest, enabled Edward's design to be accepted. The foundation stone was
laid in 1907. The building was opened in May 1909.
Construction was of brick, primarily
as a fire precaution, but also because the material suited the style the
Institute required. The building featured a number of
technical innovations. Most notable was the first floor construction, where
steel and concrete slab were used, with a more traditional tongue & groove
timber top surface. A verandah surrounded both floors on all sides and the
verandah doors incorporated another new device whereby the doors were hung on
the inside but opened to the outside, allowing full use of all the verandah
space without obstruction in the doorway.
Inside the concrete stairways were
adorned with very decorative cast iron railings. These balustrades were much
admired at the time of the opening in 1909, and continue to be regarded as fine
examples of the use of this type of decorative work.
[i] NZH 17 September 1901
See also New Zealand Herald 10 July 1890 p 5 col 5 & 6; 8 Oct 1898 p 5 col 1; 11 Nov 1898 p 6 col 4; 17 Sept 1901 p 5 col 2; 25 Oct 1901 p 5 col 5; 9 Jan 1903 p 7 col 1; 9 Sept 1905 p 5 col 1; 4 Oct 1905 p 6 col 4 & p 4 col 6; 22 Mar 1906 p 6 col 3; 16 Aug 1906 p 8 col 6;3 Oct 1906 p 8 col 8; 17 Nov 1906 p 5 col 6; 2 May 1907 p 6 col 2; 16 July 1907 p 7 col 2
