Meanwhile, Christ’s College had also embarked on a building programme so it, too, would conform to the conditions of affiliation. It was a considerable undertaking but, after investigation, the board accepted the plans of one of the fellows, Dr Charles Barker, for the building of a library and lecture hall in timber and corrugated iron. 15
Above: The Collegiate Union buildings from Antigua Street (Rolleston Avenue). CCPAL16/16 Christ’s College Archives Below: The interior of the Collegiate Union Building, showing the library. CCPAL16/17 Christ’s College Archives
Above: Alfred Charles Barker, Fellows Collection. Christ’s College Archives
Offices were on the external frontage while the library and lecture theatre – part of the same building – were set at right angles, adjacent to the museum. At 33ft (10.35 metres) high, this section comprised a ground-floor lecture room and a gallery that would accommodate 10,000 books. Scott Brothers’ tender for £1640 was accepted and the building was expected to be completed in March 1873. 16
At the first meeting of the Collegiate Union, discussions ensued about lecturers. Underlying these decisions were questions about availability and the courses that were to be offered, bearing in mind the requirements for affiliation. Perhaps also
15 This building has previously always been described as corrugated iron, but an investigation of the availability of materials suggests that it was coated tin. See Teal, FJ 2018 Wrinkly Tin. In Black & White Number 140. The Christ’s College Board also asked Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort to cost a building of the same size in stone, concrete, and wood. Christ’s College Board Minutes 18 June 1872 and 9 July 1872 16 Lyttelton Times 31 Jan 1873
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