Save The Whare

I'm sorry to disagree with you all, but this building should be bulldozed! Yes throw your hands up in horror, but where were you all when hundreds of school children and their teachers put up with rats, a leaking roof, mould and rot, constant cold in the winter and holes in the floor? Did you petition then? And yes, I know it was owned by the Auckland Catholic Diocese then, and the property management team there should be ashamed they let this old building fall into such a state over the last 100 years. Believe me it does not look anything like the old historic photo in the stuff article. Doorsteps were held together with tin, paint would fall off the celing in chunks due to dampness and this is were school assemblies, and special events were held! School resources would grow mould and reading recovery teachers and after school care worked out of this building. How do I know. I worked in this damn building for over 4 years! Save the floor boards, do some digging - I'm sure there's plenty of possum skeletons the you could put on display. Interview past pupils of Monte Cecilia about the rats that used to scurry across the roof cavity, but please don't ry and save this now just because some local politicians want some attention. It is an eyesore. Surely the huge cost of restoring such a butchered old building couold be better resourced back into more meaningful community projects. Build a playground in memory of the school kids that filled this grotty old buidling with laughter despite its rotting frame! 

#7: Too late -  

 I can understand Too Late feeling this way having to work in the building as she described it. The building did not receive the care it should have by the church authorities. However this building is an integral part of the rich history of the Pah Farm site and deserves to be restored to its former glory. The Homestead now occupied by the gallery represents the grand home and the prominent New Zealander's who played a part in government and the creation of some of our major financial institutions. The Stables represents the agricultural importance when it was a farm. What will not be celebrated if this building is demolished is the 100 years that this site served to meet the educational needs of generations. This weekend just gone the Mt Roskill (Puketapapa) Historical Society hosted the NZ History Federation Conference. To find a venue that provided the heritage aspect we had to go to our neighbouring Local Board and hold the Conference at Alberton. Yes we have the Pah Homestead and Ranfurly Home but neither are available for this type of function. The Whare when restored would provide a function venue, a space for a small museum to display the rich history of the Homestead and also continue an educational role providing an area for school groups visiting the gallery.

#8: Mt Roskill (Puketapapa) Hist. Soc. - Re:  

     It is important that the Whare should be saved, because it represents the educational history of Mount Roskill. In fact, Mount Roskill has very few heritage buildings, so it would be tragic for the area to lose another part of its history. I think that it is commendable that the local board and others are trying to save this building. Please keep up the good work and congratulations on your all of your efforts. I wish you every success with your campaign.

My father-in-law attended the school at the Pah in 1908 and 1909 and undoubtedly would have used the Whare facilities during that time. This historical link between the schools at St John's, the Pah and Kings School deserves to be preserved.

I attended this school over 50 years ago & have fond memories of the place.. Yes it most definitely merits preservation as it forms such an important link with the Pah Homestead. Local bodies too often use "asbestos or earthquake risk" as an easy cop out, in not taking responsibility to ensure preserving historic buildings in NZ.