WOODEN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1921, Page 3

WOODEN SCHOOLS

DANGER OF FIRE

AUCKLAND, June 4. Attention has recently been drawn in marked fashion to the dangers from fire arising from the large number of wooden school buildings in the Dominion. An examination has been made by fire brigade officers and Government inspectors in response to-a request by the Education Department, and as a result tho chief fire inspector (Mr Hugo) has reported in the following tertns:— “I submit herewith a list of schools in which the fire conditions as found by the assistant fire inspector were of such a character tlmt, if not rectified, they must surely sooner or later result, in many of the cases, in- more or less destructive outbreaks of fire. Tho list does not include a number of cases of defective brickwork in single chimneys, many of them in a dangerous condition, nor does it include instances of blistered paint on woodwork caused by the proximity of heating apparatus or various descriptions of unsafe conditions which should not exist.” The list which is appended to the report comprises 58 schools in all parts of thci Dominion. The inspecting officers have noted the following conditions in a very large number of cases —gas rings causing charring of walls near which they are placed; gas rings causing charring of cupboards or mahtlepieees; hot embers from fireplaces causing charring of the floor hoards; gas rings causing charring of table, stool, or floor hoards in which they are accustomed to stand. In one case it is noted that the heat from a gas ring has caused the lining boards to char badly through iron insulation, and in another a ga« ring has caused a shelf to char practically through. In forwarding the report and list to his Department, the Minister for Education (Hon C. J. Parr) says: “It is necessary that the Department should take action without delay in cprrecting the dangerous state of affairs. I suggest that you notify the Education Boards in control of the diflerent schools of the nature of the report, and request the Boards to see that the dangerous conditions in each case are immediately removed, and that there should'be. no further repetition of carelessness.”

Another aspect of the danger from lire has been urged upon the notice of the Education Department by the United Fire Brigades’ Association. That body at its last conference passed a resolution recommending that instruction in fire fighting or prevention should be given in schools. At the instance of the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Hugo has prepared a report which is now in the hands of the Minister for Education. In this he notes that 90 per cent of the fires which occur should be easily preventable, being due to carelessness. Tn America a number of States made it compulsory to have one hour in the month set apart in the schools for instruction in fire fighting, and lectures are given bv fire, brigade officers. Some of the things which be thinks might be impressed upon children are not to play with fire, always to turn off gas when not in use, never to use a light when seeking for a leak in a gaspipe, to use only safety matches, and never to carry matches which will strike on any rough surface. Commenting on these matters yesteiday, Mr Parr said he proposed to confer with the chief inspector of primary schools in Wellington to see what could be done in the direction desired by the Government fire inspector and the hire Brigades’ Association. “I think,” said the Minister, “ a talk for even half ai hour once a month to the children, di iv ing home the results of carelessness would be useful indeed. From the in specter’s report a lecture occasionally to some of our teachers seems ver; necessary.”