SOUTHBRIDGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1718, 22 August 1879, Page 2

SOUTHBRIDGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE

A meeting was held in the schoolroom, Southj bridge, on Monday. Present—Messrs Bourn 1 (chairman), Andrews, Graham, and Deßidder. The master brought before the committee the fact that for some months past a very offensive smell has existed in the school buildings, and that he had obtained the following report from Dr. Chapman on the sanitary condition of the same : —" Sir, I have this afternoon examined into the sanitary conditio.* of theschool building. I am of opinion that the present state of tho old portion is most unsatisfactory. The piles which are of wood,, and probably the plates on which the studsrest, are unsound and very considerably decayed, and the ground underneath the building has never been levelled or the vegetable mould removed. The smell in the classroom is at times very offensive, and I can testify to the effluvium in the lavatory adjoining .In spite of a shaft which was placed there to allow free exit for the foul air evidently coming from below the floor of the building I oonsider it etill very prejudicial to the healih,

of the children. Several cases of illness hare arisen, two among Mr Elwin's family, which I distinctly trace to thia cause. It a PE ett ™ that twenty children or more make use of tne lavatory for some hours daily as a schoolroom. At any timo I think it is unwise to use so small a room for that purpose. At present it is dangerous to do so. J. wouia recommend that sf careful examuiatlou of the Boor, the plates, and piles should be •Boon as possible, that stone piles should replace the wooden ones, and proper ventilation be provided inside the building.-I am, sir yours faithfully (signed), Henri Hugh Chapman." It was resolved to meet during the next day and remove a portion of the flooring and examine the pileß, to have specifications drawn up, obtain an estimate Of probable cost of alterations, and forward all papers in connection to the Board, with an application for a grant for carrying out the alterations necessary for arresting the nuisance. The secretary was requested to write to the secretary of the Southbridge Football Club stating that, while the committee have no objection to their using the playground, they must insist on every endeavour being used to respect the fences, and to give the club clearly to understand that it will bo held responsible for any damage dono to same. It was resolved to employ a man to cut necessary drains and trim the fences. Respecting the inspector's remarks regarding levelling, it was resolved to apply for a grant of £lO for that purpose. A letter was read from the Kev. W. Harper asking for the use of the schoolroom after school hours for the purpose of giving religious instruction. Tho secretary was instructed to reply that Mr Harper could have the use of the infants' school at any time after 3 30 p.m. Resolved — " To*ond the bell to the Canterbury Foundry to be re-cast "; " To apply to the Board for a grant for providing science apparatus." The master handed in a list of children who were not attending regularly, and was directed to Bend circulars to their parents. Tho report of the inspection ia July was read, and considered very satisfactory. All tho scholars had passed the necessary standard, Mid GO per cent, had passod at least one standard higher than required by the regulations.