“ROSS HOUSE”

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21710, 18 February 1936, Page 16

“ROSS HOUSE”

TO Tin EDITOR OP THE PRESS. . Sir.—Now .that the Papanui Technical High School and other Education Department schemes are nearing completion, may I through your columns, draw the attention of the department, and of parents, to that portion of -the Christchurch Girls’ High School known as “Ross House”? This bui'dlng. situated at the comer of Montreal and Gloucester streets, is a two-storeyed, corrugated-iron and wooden structure of advanced years. The woodwork is rotting, the paint, externally at least, is merely a memory, and the corrugated-iron walls and roof are rusting from top to bottom.' The ; Whole atmosphere of - the place is one of decaying senility. The structure is a disgrace to our .city and to the Education Department, ’ and an insult to the teaching staff, pupils and parents alike. How can either teachers or pupils be expected to give of their best under such depressing conditions as the dingy surroundings at present obtaining in this building? Other schools, especially secondary schools, are housed in buildings which have at least the redeeming features of decent appearance, cleanliness and adequate light and ventilation, “Ross House” Icoks them all. Trusting that this letter will be the means of focusing attention on this, another blot on the surface of our fair city and a reflection on the education authorities.—Yours, etc., DECENCY AT LEAST. February 13, 1936. . [“We do realise that Ross House is merely a makeshift,” said Mr C. T. Aschman, chairman of the Canterbury College Council, to whom this, letter was referred. “It is very desolate looking'outside, but the council has done the best it can to make the building as convenient as possible inside. The new Minister for Education has been interviewed and letters have been sent to Wellington asking for an extension to the Girls’ High School buildings, so that the necessity of using Ross House will be done away with. • The extension of the Girls’ High School has been before the Education Department for the last 10* years, and successive heads of departments have come down to discuss the question, but we are in the same position as .we were. We are hoping that the new Minister will see the necessity of giving the; extension that : We have v been waiting for for the last 40 years or more,’*]