AN OVERCROWDEB INSTITUTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1600, 18 November 1912, Page 4

AN OVERCROWDEB INSTITUTION.

' ' —: -fr— . OTEKAIKE SCHOOL FOR FEEBLEMINDED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, November 17. The Hon. 1 James Allen, in the course of iin interview; said that on Saturday, with Mf. R. H. Pope, inspector iri charge of the Special Schools, he visited the sohool foj boys of feeble mind at Otekaike, and found that the institution was unquestionably overcrowded. Though there are at present only 70 boys, there are in hand applications in respect to 200 or SOO, for 'wlhJoin accommodation must be found soon. Mr. Allen said that lie was keenly alive to the necessity for haying an extension to the existing buildings put in hand, and on his. return to Wellington intended go- ■ ing into tho matter. A vote for extensions at the school was made last session, artd ho intended ascertaining if it were possible to authorise additions_to be put in hand almost immediately. .Whilst in England, he purposes as far as time will permit to see the special schools for feeble-minded in tlhat country. Asked as to what progress was being made in the matter of providing a similar school for girls, Mr. Allen said that lie had discussed the question with Mr. Pope and Mr. G. Berstead (principal of Otekaike Sohool), and lie liaa come to the conclusion to hold the matter oyer till his return from England. It was impossible to provide for girls at Otekaike, unless a certain class of boy was removed from that school.