OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 18 November 1946, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENTS DESIRED On Friday, Mr. W. I. Deavoll, secretary oi me Wellington Education Board, paid a visit to Otaki, but failed to contact the chairman of the School Committee, headmaster or any member of the committee. However, it is understood that he made a hurried inspection of the school grounds ;and the exterior of the Nacive School, which ihe Otaki Committee desire as a classroom to relieve the congestion ai me Suaie Scnooi, it being widely known that the cramped space at the latter school is a detriment to both teachers and scholars, who have been herded like "sardines in a tin." The Education Board has relieved tne corigesiion to a cerfcain extent by securing the use of •the Masonic Hall, which is some distance from the school. The committee desires that the Education Board secure a lease of the Native schoolroom, which has be'en vacant for months, and which would be an ideal classroom, capable of accommodating 150 to 200 children, there being three large rooms and also several ante-rooms. There are also blackboards on the walls, cloakrooms, etc., with outside conveniences, although not up to date, but which would serve till improved. Mr. D. K. Guy, 'the Horo whenua representative on the Education Board, accompanied the committee on its rounds and was very sympathetic, considering the request to be a very reasonable one. He was also shown the school grounds in general, including the buildings, which he admitted were not of the best, while fences and other simi-> lar matters could do with- attention. Mr. Guy was shown the siie of the proposed swimming baths, for which structure the committee has had in hand for some time the sum of about £200. It had requested the board at various times " to pfoceed with this necessary work, the matter beirig; further emphasised after the sad drowning fatality at Shannon. It was , unanimously agreed that swimming baths were very necessary, and that it was impos--ible to , take the children to the Otaki River for swimming lessons tt was acknowledged that enncrete was a necessary item, and this fact ! was emphasised by Mr. Guy, butl the Education Board should not overlook the fact that the applica-

i i tion for the work to be done was a long-standing one. Very little hope 1 was entertained at present for the 1 installation of the baths. I Mr. Guy promised to give the I various matters brought under his j notice every attention, and exjpressed the hope that the Education Board would assist a school I that had continuously helped itself for a nupiber of years. I It is also stated that a move is on ,foot to divert the children from [Katihiku to Te Horo, which, if carjried out, the committee considered I would be a retrograde step, and jone that would not be practicable. It was maintamed that even if a Ibus ran. *to Te Horo, the children would still come to Otaki as shopping, etc., was done for the parents, while there were children who attended the Convent School. Mr. Guy was thanked for coming to Otaki and displaying interest in the schooL