OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1922, Page 5

OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

POSITION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFER. CONSIDERED UNSATISFACTORY. The departmental report chi the New Plymouth schools, made as the result of an inspection recently by Mr. W. E. Spencer of schools), was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. It stated: Referring to my recent visit to New Plymouth, to inquire into the question of increasing the school accommodation, I am directed to inform you: (1) Central School—Provided the board is prepared to pay the whole cost of removing and remodelling the two back rooms, the Minister will give favourable consideration to an application for the erection on the Central School i site of a movable classroom, approximately 2fi ft. by 22 ft., with the necessary porch. Should the attendance at the Central School not increase, this classroom can be used elsewhere, when the new infant school is erected at Courtenay Street, as it would be able to accommodate standard 1. It must be distinctly understood, however, that the movable building referred to and all the others approved by the Department must be constructed in accordance with the plans drown up by the Department’s architect. This is considered very necessary, as from the point of view of State economy sections might have to be transferred from one district to another in case of emergency, and if all the movable schools are not constructed on a uniform plan they would have but a limited area of utility.

(2) West End and Moturoa. —Tn view of the conditions at West End, the Minister is prepared to consider an application for the erection of a two-roomed movable building at Moturoa on the portion of the site arranged with Mr. White. It was made a condition, however, that the subsidiary expenditure be kept as low as possible. The rooms should be approximately 26 ft. by 22 ft., and 22 ft. by 22 ft., respectively, with the necessary porch. (3) Fitzroy.—Until the above-mention-ed works are carried out, the Minister is not prepared to consider any grant in connection with this school. The chairman (Mr. P. J. H. White) reported that he had wired to Wellington as follows on Tuesday: “My board meet to-morrow. Kindly wire if we are to consider the Department’s letter ot April 24 as your reply to the boards deputation at Stratford re accommodation at New Plymouth Schools. To this he had received a reply, stating: lam directed by the Hon. C. J. Parr to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of vesterday re Stratford. The Minister is travelling in the north at present, and will give the matter attention upon his return to Wellington in a few days tU Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P.. pointed out that the report did not even mention Westown or Vogeltown. In nine years the New Plymouth schools had increased by two, and the number ot P u PjJ® at tending had grown from 1104 to 1040 on a, basis of average attendance. At tbCentral Sdiool, no extra floor space had been provided in that time though the average roll had increased by 49, after allowing for the establishment of the VogXwn School. West End’s average attendance had increased <by 180, vHiile the additional floor space had allowed for only 100. The Ihtsroy Si had increased by 144 on an average roll basis, the floor space Prided for this purpose only allowing for . . The report was characterised by Mr. Smith as most unsatisfactory. li was decided to defer further action till a reply is received from the MmStefas promised in his telegram.