EFFECTS OF ’QUAKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 22 July 1929, Page 2

EFFECTS OF ’QUAKE

ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS THE WORK NECESSARY REPORT BY BOARD SECRETARY .U to-day's meeting of the Education Board - the secretary (Mr H. J. Thornton), dealing with damage to schools caused by the recent earthquake, referred to the following report prepared by him a few days ago for the Minister of Education (the lion. H. Atmore). ' Immediately after the severe shock on Ihe morning of the 17tb ultimo, I visited all Hie. primary schools in Nelson city, but, with " the exception of Hampden street, where six chimney slalk.v had come down, very little damage was done. It was most gratifying to find that the new brick school at Auckland Point had suffered no harm. Incidentally it' might be mentioned in connection with this school that after minute examination Mr C. Reginald Ford stated that the building was one of the best be had examined during his visit and that it was perfectly safe. "On tile day following tile earthquake 1 set out for Murchison, visiting all schools, making a note uf the damage that had been sustained, and in as many cases as possible arranged to have any dangerous portions of chimneys, etc., removed and the buildings made generally safe. Very little damage was done between Stoke’ and Bnlgrove, but after crossing Spooner’s Range the schools suffered somewhat severely, the damage increasing in extent as Murchison, was neared. On the same day Mr Reaper, the Board’s architect, set out to inspect all schools in the Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood areas, and made similar arlnugciuonts for effecting repairs. ' "On Thursday, the 20th July, I again visited Murchison in company with the headmaster of the Murchison school, and on this occasion examined some of the schools in the Tutaki valley, and the Six Mile school beyond Murchison. By this time most of tile people in the Murchison district had temporarily left their homes and all schools south of Glenhope had been closed. WESTPORT BUILDINGS “On Monday, 24th June, the Board’s architect and myself left by steamer for Westport, and during the ensuing four days inspected every school in the lower poition of our district with the exception of the seven between Corbyvale and Karamea. On account of the extensive damage to the road in this area we wore unable to get through. •'Apart from the seven schools above referred to practically every building in the district lias been examined and arrangements made for the carrying out of the required repairs. In the few other cases such as Awaroa, Maruia and Glenroy reliable information has been obtained as to the extent of the damage, and repairs arranged "So far as the schools arc concerned the Westport primary school suffered the most extensive damage. Prior to reaching Westport 1 received advice from the Education Department that the Minister, of 'Defence had consented to allow the school authorities the. ii.se of the Drill Hall, but an exSmination of thii building showed that it was quite unfit for occupation as a school for any length of time. It would have cost a considerable sum to sub-divide the building into the proposed six class-rooms which would require artificial lighting. It would have been practically impossible to satisfactorily beat the rooms. An inspection of the school seemed to indicate that several of the class-rooms could be rendered quite fit for occupation in a very short period and this opinion was confirmed by the Board's architect, officers of the Public Works Department, and later by the departmental architect, Mr Savage.

“With the assistance of the Public Works Department two rooms in the old Technical school building-, two rooms in the newer portion of the primary brick school, and the four wooden classroom’s have been repaired and all dangerous portions of ihe remaining part of .the building taken down, so that eight of the old classrooms will be available when school'resumes on Monday next. It- has been necessary to hire two rooms in the St. John’s Sunday school, the Methodist hall, the Rand room, and one room in the Athenaeum to accommodate the remainder of the pupils. The question as lo what is best to be done in regard to the provision of permanent school accommodation at Westport must be held over pending the report of the architects. “The Waimangaroa school, which was on the list of proposed works for rebuilding has suffered considerably. The chimneys require rebuilding, and the whole structure is_ badly twisted and out of plumb, / and, in the opinion of the Board’s architect, quite unsafe for occupation. It would cost a considerable sum to have it repaired and the Board strongly recommends that a grant be made lor the erection of a new school immediately. In tlie meantime the pupils are being housed in the Sundnv school. T (Summarised, with the exception of Waimangaroa and Westpor' it would appeal that, apart from the schools in the Karamea block, 122 chimney stalks require to be renewed, 01 chimneys to be completely rebuilt, 17 new tanks and 15 stands to be provided. In addition, many schools and residences have suffered damage to roofs and spouting and quite a number of buildings have been badly strained and shifted off piles. It is impossible to give au accurate estimate as to the cost of the damage, but our architect considers that tlie sum of £SOOO will be required apart from the two schools specially mentioned above. ‘'The board lias three gangs at work in various parts of the district, and in oilier eases private contractors have hoeu engaged. It is hoped that the repair work will be completed within the next three or four weeks. In the areas which suffered severely the chimney stalks are not being rebuilt in brick, but suitable tin tops, well painted, are being provided. “The science equipment in all the district high schools suffered severe loss and in some of the primary schools damage was done to furniture and other equipment. A careful record of all replacements due to the earthquake is being kept and a complete statement of thi> cost will in due course he forwarded to the department. In the meantime it would he greatly appreciated if a special grant up to £SOOO could he granted this board and a progress payment of £IOOO remitted lo the credit of the hoard’s account by the 31st inst. (Note: this has been done.) “Tlie hoard has decided that where there is even one pupil ready to attend in any particular school district the schools shall re-open and in accordance with this policy, by Wednesday next all the schools that have been closed will he open with the exception of Newton flat (building demolished). MidMamin. Glengarry, Katanga, Mangles Valiev and Lvell. These are all small schools and the districts have been evacuated.'’