TEACHERS' RESIDENCES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1910, Page 8

TEACHERS' RESIDENCES.

c MATTER OF ACCOMMODATION. The matter of teachers' residences throughout the Dominion was raised at the Wellington Education Board this afternoon in a circular memorandum from the Education Department. The memorandum stated that there were about 1100 of these buildings, of which 484 were without bathrooms or washhouse. Of these residences there were four with one room, 76 with two rooms, 46 with three rooms, 146 with four rooms, 113 with five rooms, 81 with six rooms, 12 with seven rooms, and 3 with eight. In providing for the erection of new residences during the last year or two the department had to restrict the accommodation to uve rooms, with a bathroom and a wnshhouse. Generally, continued the memorandum, it would seem of doubtful expediency to" make any substantial expenditure on residences more tha-n twenty years old. It would be equally inexpedient to spend money on additions to one and two-roomed dwellings. There were some 200 houses of three to five rooms needing improvement. The cost would be £18,000 to bring up to the standard. This amount included 196 bathrooms at £25 ; 125 washhouses at £25 ; 122— 1 room each £50, 38—2 rooms each at £100 : total, £17,925. In many cases, however, •one-thirtl of the number, there were single teachers to whom the residence was no advantage, and it was therefore estimated that an expenditure of about £12,000 would probably suffice to meet all the ca&es in which it is expedient to spend money at once on improvements. A list of defective residences was asked for. It was decided to instruct the secretary to prepare such a libt for consideration of the financial committee.

Showery weathery prevailed in the top half of the North Island this morn ing and at the extremity of the South Island. Between those rainy zones there were clear fckies or "blue with passing clouds." It it, predicted that the weather will be cool and changeable in the immediate future, and places inland may look out for frosts. On Monday nest the Pioneer (drill ship for naval reservists in New Zealand waters) will leave Wellington for Picton. After three days stay at that port she will go on to Nelson and thence to Westport on the 13th prox. Leaving Westport on the 17th she will next call at New Plymouth and leave again on the 25th for Wellington. The warship is sti' 1 short of her naval complement, and as in all probability a number of men will join at the aforementioned ports, Captain G. G. Smith, Royal Naval Registrar at Wellington, is to accompany her in his official capacity. In the annual report of the National Dairy Association (imported at length in another column), it is noted that up to 19th May, 1910, thirty-three steamers have loaded dairy produce at New Zealand ports for London as compared with an average of eighteen to twenty in formei years. With the heavy increase in dairy produce coming forward for shipment, there has been considerable difficulty in providing adequate space in the fortnightly steamers. Especially has this been the case with cheese, which is stowed in chambers fitted for this cargo alone. Some 25,000 crates have to be shipped fortnightly during the bu6y period of the season. The Highland Rifles (H Company Ist Wellingtons) have been ordered to form the Guard of Honour to his Excellency at the Town Hail to-morrow night, on the occasion of the citizens' farewell to him. The attention of all members of the company is drawn to the advertisement regarding the hour and place of parade. Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonalcl. Ltd., offered at auction this afternoon a section of twenty-nine perches at Karori. with buildings thereon. The property was Fold for £750. Attention is called to the regular meeting of the Philosophical Society to be held to-morrow evening in the Museum Lecture-room. Miss Kirk is to read a paper on "The Elementary Psychology of Child-life; " Mr. H. D. Skinner a paper on "Customs and Traditions of the Poutini Ngaitahu," and Mr. (J. E. Adams, F.R.A.B. (timo permitting), a paper on Halley's comet. I

During the month ending to-day there w«re only three bankruptcies in. Wellington. Messrs. Harcourt and Company offered for sale this afternoon the ware- j houses and site on Jervois-qaay once occupied by D. Benjamin and Company (who have since given up business here) and Messrs. Chambers and Son. The buildings are substantial modern struc- j tures, and are insured for £11,400. The ground is city corporation perpetual lease, with right of renewal every fourteen years. Ihe present term expires on, 16th April, 1919. The highest bid elicited for the property was £10,400, at which figure it was passed in. The Westporfc Times states that it is common rumour at Runanga, Greymouth, that over one hundred hands are to be dispensed with next month from, the raifway extension works there. The Evening Post Upper Hutt Agency has beou removed to the centre of tho township, almost opposite the Poet Office. Mr. Pearson will continue to act as agent. The General Committee of the Children's Flower Pageant notifies in our advertising columns that the date for booking reserved seats has been altered te Wednesday, 6tli July. The box plan will be opened on that date at the Dresden Piano Company, Lambton-quay. The pageant is to be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, 20th Jury. The Sisters of Compassion acknowledge, with, thanks, the receipt from the TwoGarment Society of 120 articles of clothing. Messrs. Thompson Bros.. Ltd., advertise an auction sale to-morrow, at 1 p.m., of a collection of Hufcfc nursery stock on behalf of Mr. A. M'Mifen. Tho last, includes roses, torarauiental, hedge and shelter trees, carnations, etc. Catalogues are now available on application. Tenders tor lighting the Hutt Bridge by electricity are inserted' by the Hutt BoTough Council. A special meeting pf the Wellington Trades and Labour Council will be heid on Thursday evening. The assigned stock of the Wholesale Woollen Co. having arrived at 34, Man-ners-street, the sale of boots and shoes is being continued. Messrs. Lees and Church, 128, Cubastreet, advertise that they are holding a stocktaking sale in all their departments. Mr. S. G. Ross, jeweller and engraver, Lambton-quay, advertises jeweHery, silverware, and electroplate, walking-sticks, at special prices. _Th 9 matron of the Ohiro Home and the visitor for the Charitable Aid Committee, desire to acknowledge with thanks gifts of clothing from tho Two-garment Society for the use respectively of the inmates of the home and those in need of assistance otherwise.