ANOTHER CONFLAGRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1878, 17 September 1918, Page 3

ANOTHER CONFLAGRATION.

STATE SCHOOL AND CONTENTS DESTROYED. ORIGIN OF FIRE A MYSTERY. At about 1 o’clock yesterday morning Foxton was the scene of another disastrous lire, when the local State school and its contents were totally destroyed. Mr Ingle, who lives opposite the school, was awakened by the breaking of glass, and saw a blaze at the school. He immediately rang the bell, and aroused the townspeople. When Mr Ingle first saw the outbreak the (lames had a good hold of the two rooms on the south-east side of the building. The gale blowing created a tierce draught, Avhich soon converted the interior into a roaring furnace. It was impossible to salvage anything, and within an hour and a-half the building was reduced to ashes. Fortunately the school was well away from any other structure, minimising the risk of (lying sparks. Residents were powerless to do anything except to stand by and watch the progress of the flames. The contents of the building included the pupils’ books, school records, trophies, piano, library, and teachers’ private belongings. The origin of the outbreak is a mystery, although many believe it was the work of an incendiary. There was a lire in two of the rooms on Friday last. The stoves are a patent arrangement, with circulating pipes which connect with a flue through the roof. The flues were not in good or.der, but even if they Avere defective it appears almost impossible that smouldering Avould go on for such a time without it .being noticed. Mr Furrie was in the school on Friday night, and the Janitor and one of the teachers on Saturday afternoon, when everything was apparently safe.

The school was a Avooden building, erected in 1900 at a cost of £1,400. Since then, however, additions and improvements have been effected totaling about another £SOO, Avhich made the school one of the best appointed under the Jurisdiction of the Wanganui Board. It contained seven well-lighted and ventilated elass rooms, two offices, it ml a spacious quadrangle. Large sums had been expended from time to time by the Committee to make the environment of the school conducive to the health and Avoll-heing of the little ones, and it was tragic to see the efforts of years go up in smoke. There is a feeling of sincere regret by townspeople at the loss sustained. We believe the building was insured by the Board. Il will he at least six mouths before another building will he erected.

Yesterday morning' Messrs A If. Fraser (Board member), Horn blow ((diairman of Committee), L. J. Currie (head teaeher), and Signal took steps to obtain suitable temporary buildings in order to carry on. Those approached met the request sympathetically, and classes will be (-(inducted in (lie following premises: —Infants in the Gospel Hall: Std. I. in the Presbyterian schoolroom, Stds. IT. and 111. in All Saints’ schoolroom, Std. IV. Salvation Army Hall, and Stds. V. and VI. in the Town Hall supper-room. The children will be handicapped in their studies for a lime, but it is anticipated (hat all the essential necessaries will be forwarded by the Board within the course of a few days. Much sympathy*is felt for the head teacher and staff, as they were about to enter upon the “topping off” process for the year. The disorganisation will interfere with the studies in this respect. Numbers of parents and scholars were attracted to the school grounds yesterday to view the ruins. Nothing remains of the building save crumpled iron, molten glass and the concrete foundations.

The school building recently destroyed .was erected in 1006, and was formally opened by the then Premier, the late Rigid Hon. R. J. Seddon, on March 13th of that year, hut was nol occupied on that date. The ceremony was one of the last public functions attended by Mr Seddon prior to his tragic death. During the course of his speech at the opening of the school, Air Seddon said that in May, 1905, the District Health Officer reported that the old school was overcrowded, and unfit for further use. Hence the new building was sanctioned by the Department, at a cost of £1,500. The yearly attendance for the five years preceding 1906 was 191, 20/, 216, 215, and 215. To-day the roll number is over 400, and the average attendance close up to that figure. The teaching staff at the opening of the school consisted of Mr AAA S. Stewart, B.A. (head teacher), L. J. Furrie (first assistant), L. denies, Misses McDonough, AVanklyn, and N. Dowling. To-day the staff consists of eight teachers. The-present head master did not take up his duties in the now building, having accepted a transfer to the Eltham High School. It will he noted that the school attendance has almost doubled since the building was erected, and that despite the establishment of a private school in the town. As (he attendance increased the accommodation was cramped, and about two years ago a new class room was added. Judging by the past, the new building will have to provide tor an attendance of upwards of 600 pupils. The children will assemble as usual each day at the school grounds, and the classes will march

to their respective localities. The infants are particularly fortunate in being located in the Gospel Hall, Just opposite, as they can use the playgrounds during recess, as also will Stds. V. and VI. The other places possess a fair amount of ground for recreative purposes. The children rvill be-under strict discipline in regard to the buildings they are to occupy, and any acts of vandalism will be severely dealt with. The rents of the various buildings rvill be paid by the Department, and ample sanitary arrangements will be provided. ,