OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 11

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR OV "THE MESS."

gjuy—Trtp.y I, as a. vitally interested parent, be permitted a few lines i" answer to Mr Biguell's letter in this morning's "Press"? Surely Mr Bignell does not especfc us: to take his or anyone else's word of , criticism of the lighting of open-air schools against such authorities Mid experts as Doctors O'Brien and Wales? Of course, Dr Phillipps could not produce half-a-dozen teachers to gainsay such authorities! They would not be prepared to hold themselves up to public ridicule by so doing. As for* keeping warm—l know by experience of my own children, who sit quietly by the hour on an open porch playing "with books or toys, that any heating other than the sun is totally unnecessary. Does Mrßignell not know that the sun is much lower in the sky in winter than in summer, and consequently shines in ths windows, more than directly on the root '. i I other heating is necessary, as on last wet Monday, the open-air schools are provided with splendid fireplaces, ai d. I doubt not, lrrge fires, 'hir climate is infinitely better than the English climate, where open-air schools Lave been tried and approved for years past. One would almost gather from Mr Eigne!! and some of his confrera* that the FendnJton Open-Air School has been a howling failure; whereas I am convinced that quite the contrary is tho case. .and I hs'.ve heard Mr Blank speak on the subject as 'a teacher .satisfied with results. Mr Eigne!! closes by stating that they are willing to fry open-air .schools. Then why! oh why! not get going ;md do something? Tho proof is in the debit:. X underspend that on Cashmere Hills they have been waiting lot months for some manifestation of this avowed statement of the Board's. —Yours, et".. MOTHER. WILLING TO HAYK HER CHILDREN" EXPERIMENTED WITH. Christckurch, June I'-lrd.

TO TITS IDITOa O* "THS I'JUSSS." Sir, —As all arc agreed that pure air free from, dust is desirable, the only point Jolt to consider is l:ow in supply it at a ]ironer temperature, mil with it a good light. flight nor. all those be pcined by the simple method of arranging so that the open side could ''C turned in any direction, to fruit wind, sun or rain., instead of having to c]o.-o the h:rge doors? Perhaps nlso. the best all-round test of comfort, etc.. would be for members of the committees:, ".villi, sav. two ''.Dr. experts/' to pass the school hours, clad in ordinary "school" ■clothes in the open-air school. Then', no doubt, a reliable decision in th/: interests of the children would, be attained.—Yours, etc. A VISITOR. •