NEW PLYMOUTH'S SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 177, 25 January 1912, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH'S SCHOOLS.

ARB THE BUILDINGS SANITARY? At the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, a quantity ol «r----respondence was read from the Central School committee re the sanitary condition of the schools. Mr. F. P. Corkill, chairman of the Central school committee, wrote stating that the doctors' report on the Central and Courtenay street schools has reached him, and disclosed a Btate of affairs as to call for immediate consideration. The committee holds the view that expenditure on the existing school buildings would be a mistake, and that every effort should be put forth to obtain a modern building on the Central site, with ample accommodation for all the children. The Courtenay site ought to realise £IOOO if sold.

The Secretary for Education sent a copy of the letter received from the chairman of the Central school committee, dated December 28, which contained a copy of the report by the Health Inspector upon the two school buildings —Central and Courtenay street—and a copy,, of the report by the medical practitioners of New Plymouth on the same subject. The chairman stated that his reason for sending,them during the holiday season was that the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Valintine) was in Taranaki and would probably remain there during the week. He ventured to suggest that the grave condition of affairs would warrant that reference to that gentleman, so that he may make a personal inspection for the Department, It is the intention of the committee to call a public meeting of _ citizens early in the year with the object of discussing the accommodation provided for the 600 children now in attendance, and with a view of bringing the matter directly before Parliament. The committee realises that it .is useless to look for any appreciable help from the Taranaki Education Board, which is wholly composed of representatives of the country committees, and upon which the town cannot elect even one member.

Mr. C. T. Mills, secretary of the Central school committee, forwarded a copy of the Health Inspector's report on the school buildings, asking the Board to give the matter due consideration >and bring the buildings up to date.

DOCTORS' REPORT. Drs. Fookes, Me CI eland, Home, Wylie, Walker and Leatham reported having visited the Central and Courtena-y street schools at the request of the Central school committee. The report of Inspector Kendall had been previously placed before them,' and they had no hesitation in endorsing every detail of its statements. They emphatically the need for a sound system 'of ventilation, a radical change in the mode of lighting, and a complete revision of the sanitary arrangements of the schools. The day of their visit was bright and sunny, and in the various rooms the windows had been opened to admit extra air. Even' with this precaution the atmosphere as a whole was foul and quite unsuitable for, any public or teaching institution. In bad weather it would be impossible to admit sufficient, air without unfair exposure to varying atmospheric conditions (rain, wind, and dust). The lighting arrangements were, faulty and a likely source of eye strain, and it does not seem feasible to devise! a scheme for remedying the defect inthe present buildings. The sanitary ar-l rangements, were most unsatisfactory and a menace to the health of the scholars. Nothing short 'of a, complete revision will satisfy modern requirements. The shelters and gymnasium were in bad repair and totally unfit for their pm.ert purpose. In view of structural conditions which are responsible for these defects, they were satisfied that nothing short of a new building on modern lines will meet the requirements of the situation, and at the same time provide for the expansion of the district.

Mr. Ballantyne (inspector) said, in his opinion, the Central school was in good order. In some of the rooms the light was poor, but a suitable light could not be got in every room. He did not think the condition was insanitary. Mr. Whetter said the school was in a ruich bett?r condition than schools of a similar size, with 600' children, in other places.

Mr. Morton had no objection to the Central committee making an attempt to bring about a change, but he protested against the statement of the chairman re the town having no representatives on the Board. The town committees had as much consideration as those from the country, and at one time Mr. Tisch represented the town on the Board. Prior to the present chairman being in the position he holds on the committee, the Central committee and the Board worked amicably. He objected to the,pin prioks from the committee. Mr. Young, in reply to a question, was informed that the building * was about 26 years old. He said as the inspectors said the building was not insanitary, h'e did not Consider it wise to make a big expenditure for a new school. On the motion of Messrs. Morton ajid Halcombe, it was resolved that this Board regrets that the Central school committee, in their letter to the Education Deparment 'of December 28, 1911, should have made the statement that it is useless to look for any help from this Board, which is wholly ■ composed of representatives of country committees, such statement being absolutely untrue, and not calculated to advance the interests of educaion in New Plymouth. On the motion of Messrs.' Halcombe and Morton, it was decided' that the Central school committee be informed, in answer to its letter, that as the committee has taken the matter in its own hands, wihout consulting the Board in any way, the Board will now wait until the Department has obtained the required report as asked for T)y the committee. This means that wTfl awaft the Health Officer's report.