REMODELLING OLD SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1921, Page 5

REMODELLING OLD SCHOOLS.

COST OF REPLACEMENT. When replying to a deputation asking for an increase in a grant for the erection of a new building at the South School, Invercargill, the Minister for Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, outlined his policy in regard to applications for the replacement of old schools. The South School was certainly 40 years old, he said, but ther? were hundreds of buildings just as old throughout the Dominion. The question was whether £lO,OOO should be expected now to erect three new rooms, or extensive repairs made at a much smaller outlay. In the cities there were dozens of old schools housing 600 or 700 children, and these could be quite comfortable with a limited expenditure. Certainly the Government could not afford to scrap them under the present conditions. Moreover, the timber in these Buildings was often much better tfian anything his architects qould give him to-day. Where there were defects, such as bad lighting and ventilation, they should be remedied, and no doubt Parliament would be prepared to make a very considerable vote for the remodelling of old buildings. Of course, where a school was worm-eaten, he would lay the case before Cabinet without hesitation, but where the timber was good he would not hold out the hope that he would assist them to get a new building at this unpropitious urn*.