Whanganui, New Zealand, Sept 2012: From the little I know, Purnell House was originally the accomodation ward for the nearby Wanganui Highschool. Today I’m not sure of it’s use, though it does seem to be semi occupied and has definately seen better days.
ferguscunningham.com 
I remember visting this place back in 2010 😉 there was a old lady on the door step I couldn’t escape from, it’s a boarding house these days.
There was an old woman sitting at the main entrance when I was there too 😉 Thought it might have been some sort of doss house…
hi Fergus, I have found some really nice old black & white photos of Purnell House (came from my auntie’s estate) do you know who owns this building now, and would they be interested in these photos as I have no use for them and just can’t bear to throw them out or send to the op shop, would be of historic value for the area. There are photos of the students and staff at the WTC as well.
regards, Ali
It was the Hostel for the Wanganui Technical College (now Wanganui City College)
Kahu.
Yes it was the Wanganui Technical College Hostel – Purnell House. I spent four years there from 1959 to 1962 as boarder. I enjoyed every minute of my time there. The place was immaculate. The girls were still there and they were in the dorms upstairs, but were slowly being phased out and by 1962 had all gone. A sad day really. The name change to Wanganui Boys College, was in the wind.
it is now some sort of boarding house which needs to be condemmed as it houses mentally ill people who are known sex offenders
I LIVED HERE WITH 9 MATES WAS AWESOME PLACE TO LIVE AND HAUNTED
EAH!!! IT JUST NEEDS SO MUCH T.L C .. AND AS FOR IT BEING HAUNTED THATS WAT HAPPENS WENU ARE NEGLECTED AND FORGOTTEN ..
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED FROM THE SMALLEST ATOM TO UNIVERSE !!!!
i was a boarder there from 1977 to 1979 the best time of my life got shut down because the powers to be said it was unsafe to live in .its still standing today shows how much they know.when ever im back in the country i go an sit on the lawn an remember all the good times and friends i had there .
have even taken my kids there an told them how good it was
I boarded there in 1979, just for the one term before it sadly closed in that May. I was physically the last to leave it as my Mum was late to collect me and the doors were closed behind me. I loved it and each time I’m in Whanganui I go by and reminisce about the great, albeit, short time I had there.
I was a border from 1965 to 1969. From Niue. The late Keith Lawes was Housemaster and his son Michael went on to be a NZ First stalwart. Enjoyed my time at this school. I am now a retiree in Auckland , a retired Solicitor 2024.
Yes. 1965 to 1969. SC, UE n Higher SC. Went to Law School, Canterbury University, Christchurch. From the island of Niue. Now retired in Auckland. 2024. Cheers.
All good.
Niue Island.
I was there when Chas Cecil Day was the Principal and he lived at the boarding house at Purnell St. He was later replaced by Mr Lawes, my history teacher, father of Michael Laws.
Oh yes. I am now a retired Solicitor and living in Auckland with my Christchurch born wife – Catherine Jane. She is also from Geraldine. Cheers. Ikipa August 2024.