DISTRICT SCHOOL FOR BELL WARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3324, 15 October 1873, Page 2

DISTRICT SCHOOL FOR BELL WARD.

To the Editor. Sir.— lt would appear from the application made by the deputation that waited upon his Honor the Superintendent yesterday, that the inhabitants of this neglected part of the City are awakening from the state of stupor '■hich. has hitherto pervaded the district. It is only for anyone to walk through the length and breadth of Bell Ward, and view ■.he number of its extensive workships, foundries, and manufactories, and the number of women and children in the streets, to be struck with wonder and astonishment that the inhabitants have remained so long content with the means provided by private speculation for the education of their children in dark, over-crowded, non-ventilated apartments.

It is an omission, and one much to be lamented, that parents have so little care where they send their children that they seldom or ever take the trouble to go and see whether the accommodation is such as to ensure a sufficiency of pure air while the children are at their lessons. W« have had the opportunity of seeing the interior of several private schools in 801 l Ward, aud wo have no hesitation in saying that in almost every ins ance they were quite inadequate for the numbers assembled within ; the atmosphere highly offensive : indeed they may fairly be called the hot beds of consumption. We will cite a fe>y instances School No. ]. The romp or x 10ft.; low ceiling; twq windows—both fixtures, so that they (taunot be op'upcj. either top or bottom. Same room used as a kitchen, and as the family dine between twelve and one, there was a large fire and cooking going on while the children were in school. We learnt from the teacher that there were forty-two children present. No. 2. Here we were at once told we could not see the schoolroom, the lady admitting that it was overcrowded ; but she was intending to make the requisite addition. No. 3, This school has a good name in the qeighborhgod ; let us see whether it deserves it. Here again we told that we pou}4 on no account be allowed to see the interior of the school room, although we had two children with us with the intention of leaving them there, if pleased with the accommodation. Although not allowed entrance to the room, it was not difficult to ascertain its dimensions, for we looked through the one window, which was closed. The room was not more that 12ft. square ; low ceiling ; very dark and dismal. We were informed that there were twenty-three children, and mother and daughter, teachers. The atmosphere in the passage was very unpleasant, and we were net sorfy tq bea] a hqsty retfeat and breathe the fresh air again.

No. 4. This school is held in a small front room intended for a small huckster’s shop, with a large window not made to open ; and as wlnn the door is open the scholars are exposed to the gaze of the passers by, it is almost always closed. The room is always full of children.

We could give several more instances, but, as they resemble the former in almost every respect, it would only be a wearisome repetition. We know that most of our public schools are at present overcrowded. This, together '\yith ttye facts enumerated, should have its weight with the authorities in inducing them to grant the prayer of tlpe depu? tation.—-I am, &c., A Parent. Dunedin, October lb.