Page 40 - The Gonzaga Record 1985

that should become necessary before proper and permanent buildings were erected
at some hoped-for day in the future.
The type of prefab chosen after much consultation was the Cannon building.
This type of prefab was erected around a steel girder framework. The walls
consisted of panels of really durable material: steel laminae with a thick plastic
insulation between. There was one defect which was a nuisance in very cold
weather. The gas fires used to heat the building gave off much water vapour. The
aluminium girders were very cold on frosty mornings, so that tremendous
condensation occured, with consequent dripping of water on to copies and pupils.
However, usually the cold frosty weather went away after a few days, and the
worst was over. The walls stood up to school-boy wear, and no painting had to be
done in ten years.
Here for ten years the teaching of science went on. It was not an ideal situation.
But teachers and boys made the best of it. And anyway, when has teaching ever
gone on 'under ideal circumstances?'

William M. Lee SJ

The second part of this history of Gonzaga will appear in the next issue of The
Gonzaga Record. It is hoped eventually to publish the history as a separate
pamphlet.

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