WATER SUPPLY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 181, 13 May 1943, Page 4

WATER SUPPLY

AT THE ALLENTON SCHOOL.

CASE OUTLINED TO MINISTER. FLOODING CHIEF DIFFICULTY. Problems relating to the water supply of the Allcnton School were discussed by the Minister of Education (tho Hon. H. G. R. Mason) with tho school committee to-day.

Difficulties besetting the committee were outlined by the chairman (Mr G. H. Rollinson) and Mr H. Vartlia. Chief among these was the unsuitable

location of the well which supplies both the baths and the school. It was claimed by the committee that the pump frequently took from three and-a-lialf to five days to fill the baths, and latterly had taken as long as a fortnight, at which stage the committee gave up trying to do anything with it. Another unsatisfactory aspect- was that when the baths were emptied, the water percolated the short distance from the sump back to the well and caused flooding, thus putting the pump out of action. When this occurred tho school water supply as well as the supply for the baths was jeopardised. Because there was no water in the baths the children were unable to have swimming sports last season. “Do you jnean that the water emptied out of the baths is pumped into the tanks for consumption?” asked the Minister. “All impurities have been lost in the percolation through about a chain ot shingle.” said Mr Stanley Smith. Floating Pump Advocated. Commenting on the flooding problem Mr Mason enlarged upon the possibilities of a floating pump in preference to the submersible pump suggested by Mi Vartlia. Mr Smith said lie thought the best- solution was the construction of a new well. “Is there any chance of diverting some of the County water supply?” asked the Minister.

“We have tried that, but we cannot get the vegetable matter out of it. It goes green within a week,” said Mr Rollinson.

“As far as I can see,” said Mr Mason, “we have two thiftgs to consider. One is to get a suitable system working and the other is to see about paying for it.” It was pointed out by Mr Vartlia that it was practically impossible to make any call upon the people of the community as they already had considerable patriotic obligations to meet. Mr Mason said that no finance could be discussed until figures and reports had been drawn up. It was agreed to obtain a report from a competent engineer.

“I feel sympathetic toward you in your troubles,” Mr Mason told the committee, “there is no question but that- you liavo shown a spirit that might well be held up as an example. What you are asking is a good deal, but at the same time you have done more than most: people would have done. Before 1 do anything, however, I must know what money is involved.” School Buildings Inspected. Inspecting tin* building used lor Standard VI, the Minister agreed that a. new one was badly needed, but said ho didi not think it was urgent enough to take priority over other works which were being carried out. “At least, lie said, “the present building affords a certain amount of warmth, shelter and sunlight.” '‘This building, which is ; infested with borer, was brought from Seafiold about eight years ago. Mr Mason saw tho heating system of .the main building, which has boon the subject of many complaints. A change has been made iit tho system recently and. the Minister advised the Committee to keep a temperature re- j cord in the school and if there was j lit) improvement to take the matter up j with tho Board.

It was pointed out by the Committee that a sound-proof wall was required between the rooms housing the infants and Standard I. Under the existing conditions the teachers in both rooms were working under difficulty because of the noise which penetrated from one room to another. Mr Mason advised the Committee to apply for a new wall.