EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16933, 7 September 1920, Page 6

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

p-s- — APPOINTMENT OF ARCHITECT. (press association telegram.) * WELLINGTON, September 6. Tlie reasons for the appointment last week of an architect to the staff of the Education Department, and the duties ho would be called upon to perform, wero explained by the Minister of Education to-day. The Minister said it was a very important appointment, which, in his opinion, liiiould have been made long ago. The Department spent annually very large sums of money in building new schools. While the present officials were experts in the lighting and ventilation of buildings and their class requirements, the Department had been without skilled guidance as to tihe architecture of tho schools and the methods of construction. Further, there were a number of old schools in the Dominion which, thouglh old-fashion-ed, wero still sound. It was proposed to remodel these and make them more' hygienic and suitable for modern classes. This was a heavy task, which, 'owing to the limitations of 'finance and the (high cost of labour and materials, must bo spread over a series of years. Upon all these important matters' the Department would now have expert guidance. Hitherto many delays had occurred owing to education boards sending in for approval plany that were unsuitable. It was hoped now t'hattho architect, who was a man of special experience, would be able to furnish authoritative advice to the boards and their architects.