DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 207, 14 July 1939, Page 2

DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

CROWDING OF SCHOOL, HALLS NOT SUITABLE The. deplorable conditions, uiid.ee which children are being taught in Opotiki wore;revealed at .the meeting of the Opotiki School Committee on Wednesday night, when Air All!lor, the Auckland Board’s architect, was present. A letter fiom a parent to the Minister of Education complaining of.conditions at the Opotiki School was. read. A further letter from a pa rein to the committee complained' of the coldscaught by children at- one of the halls. The parent suggested the re-opening of country schools. Several other .similar letters were received. Air. Pea-gram said he had met a parent on the way to the meeting who wasthinking serously of taking his child away from school on account of the uncongenial conditions. Four other parents complained of conditions. I’he conveniences were-’ very unsatisfactory. Air. Hampton said that the Alethodist Hall was not built for a. public school. At the Masonic- Hall tlie lavatories were most unsatisfactory. A convenience had been hired. If the river came up they would be knocked over. Shelters would have to be erected. Air. Attwood asked if the Alethodist Hall were made unavailable, it would facilitate getting additions. Air. dte ALontalk said the children would 'be forced back to the school. Air. Attwood said at present Opotiki was 3>Sth. on the, list of works to liedone. Air. Hamilton said it would he bett.r to close the Alethodist- Hall than to liii the hospital. ' Air. Hampton stated that the Department and Board each blamed the other. Air. AI i Her said both the Board and Department found themselves in staffing difficulties. Four other high schools were in similar conditions. AY hat. was being done that night would not do any harm. He undertook to mention the matter to the Board. Air. Hampton said that the conditions were deplorable and shocking. Air. Aliller stated that a plan had been prepared and sent on as being urgent, but that was as far as it had gone. He said that the work was a. very urgent one. All*. Reeves .moved that a letter bewritten to the Board and the disriot member .on the subject. Seconded by Air. Attwood and carried. Air. Hampton said lie was sure Air.. Hultquist- was working hard for theschool. The cartage of metal for the 'Alethodist. Hall was left jn the. hands of Air.. Attwood. It was decided to place shelters around the conveniences at the Alasonie--1 fall.