PORTABLE SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 6

PORTABLE SCHOOLS

, , Some interesting comments were made on the subjecfc'-of portable schools by the superintendent, of technical schools, Mr. W. S. La Trobe," who is at present in Auckland. "Those who condemn portable schools are condemning something •which may possibly be the best .solution ,'of .our difficulties/ he said, when'expressing his personal opinion on the subject to a Star representative. Mr. La Trobe pointed out that there was a demand for nianual training schools that could not ibe met at the present time, and possibly some sort of movable, temporary building might be necessary. ■ What was wanted was a type of building capable of being taken' down and motlified to suit changing conditions." The flexibility, of the portable buildings was the important •thing..from the,.point,of view.of. manual arid technical colleges, in regaxd to which ideas advanced Tapidly and improvements were constantly being sought. These . portable buildings could be remodelled without anything being / scrapped. Mr. La' Trobe said it was better to, have a movable building that could be quickly brought, up to date instead of ■a solid brick edifice, which was incapable of being modernised. He pointed to the ''Normal School in Christchurch as a con- ' crete'. example, and: remarked' that the place lyas' about seventy years "old.;. Even London did not intend to put up permanent structures for chemical and other laboratories; all that was wanted was a good floor and a good roof, with plenty of light, the place of course bejng waterproof.