THE EXHIBITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 47, 5 December 1939, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION

VISITS BY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ACCOMMODATION ARRANGED. / (Per Press Association), W ELLINGTON, December 4. Details of the arrangements made for the accommodation of parties of .school children visiting Wellington for the Exhibition were announced to-day by Mr W. 1. Deavoll, secretary of the Exhibition education committee. Chi}-' dren will be accommodated in the old Newtown School buildings, and will remain for three days in Wellington, except in special cases. The first of the children arrived in Wellington to-day. There wore 26 of the Education Department’s correspondence school children from isolated places throughout New Zealand.

Next week arrangements have been made for a party of *2O boys from Mt. Albert Grammar School,. Auckland, a combined party from the Mangawhio and Waverley Schools,' Taranaki, a pai tv from the Te Uri School, Hawke’s Bay, and another from Manutuki Native School, in the Gisborne district. Bookings at the accommodation bulean in the Newtown School already total about 3000.

The scheme will not be under way in earnest, however, till January 20, when it is expected that a North Auckland party, comprising 300 children and 50 teachers and other adults assisting in supervision, will arrive at the bureau, and remain till January 26. ’ Mr Deavoll said today that the scheme had been drawn up with the object of giving maximum service to visiting pupils at a reasonable cost, and of removing any doubts that might exist in the minds of parents that their children might not be properly cared for during their absence from home. The task of accommodating groups of visiting children, and of caring for them during their stay in Wellington, was no light one, said Mr Deavoll. The position had been very carefully explained, and as a result it had been decided that provision could be made for a total of 320 children (120 girls and 200 boys) at one time. In addition there would be accommodation for visiting controlling teachers, or other appioved adults who were assisting in the supervision of children, in the proportion of one to ten, making'a grand total of approximately 350. Children under 10 years of age would not be included in visiting school parties. Girlswould be housed in a separate singlestorey building of four rooms, each, 24ft 6in by 22ft. Precautions Against Fire, It was proposed to house 30 girls in a room, with three teachers or other adults in charge. A curtailed cubicle would be provided for the adults. The boys would bo placed in five rooms in the main building, and in two rooms in the Berhampore School close by. It had not been found possible to supply blankets, and each child Avas expected to bring at least two' blankets, ’ and'’ single sheets if desired. There would be palliasses filled with clean straw .-for., each bed, together with a bolster.. Cliil-..' dren were required to bring their own . towels, and washing bags containing materials required for their personal cleanliness.

"The , committee appreciates that avoidance of fire risk is all-important, particularly where large numbers of children are congregated in wooden buildings,” said Mr Deavoll. "The superintendent of the Wellington Fire Brigade was consulted, and he kindly arranged for one of his inspectors to visit the location and make suggestions. As a result, special precautionary measures have been taken. Nightwatchmen will patrol the buildings and grounds regularly. In addition, steps-have been taken to have an alarm installed, with direct communication between the school and the South Wellington Fire Brigade Station.”

A large room on the ground floor of the main building would be used as a kitchen, and another of similar dimensions adjoining it would serve as a storeroom, Mr Deavoll continued. It was proposed to provide breakfast and a hot meal in the evening at the-New-town School. Lunch bags would be prepared and handed to the children just before they left for the exhibition. An alternative proposal was to deliver the lunches at the exhibition, and an effort was being made to arrange that in fine weather children could have a picnic lunch on the beach at Lyall Bay if desired, and perhaps enjoy a swim. Children would not be required to bring any crockery or cutlery. Provision had been made for a sickroom for girls and one for boys, and an effort was being made to secure regular inspections by a school medical officer. First aid outfits would also bo available. Children and teachers accommodated in tho buildings in Newtown would each be required to pay 6s a day. The money -would' be collected by the teacher in charge of each, group. The daily charge.would cover:' (1) Three meals and a bed for all members of a school party; (2) ono return tram faro between the railway station or ferry wharf and Newtown for school pupils only, irrespective of age; (3) one return tram fare for. school, pupils only from Newtown to tho exhibition.