PAINT IS CHEAP

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1922, Page 8

PAINT IS CHEAP

AND BUILDING DEAR

MINISTER ON OLD SCHOOLS,

The virtues of a coat of paint for. some of the old school buildings d New Zealand were expounded by the Minister of Education (the Hon. O. J. Parr) to . a Post representative this morning. "I notice with satisfaction," he said, "that the Wellington Education, Board is getting to work during the holidays with paint pot and brush on some of its school buildings, many of which have fallen into disrepair and ( dinginess. The Newtown School,: 1 sawas I was on my way to Miramax Golf Links yesterday, is in the hancle of the painters, who are making a very desirable change in the former dingy appearance of the school. I trust that ] education I boards generally will freshen up their old buildings both imside\ and outeide. Nothing is more discouraging to both pupil and teacher than the environment of old buildings which have not met the paint brush, for the past ten or twelve years. And it is wcaierful what a coat of paint will do. .1 am satisfied that the psychological effect on the minds of the children is well worth while." Asked generally about old school buildings, Mr. Parr said that two years ago he had hopes of replacing them with new buildings, but, with butter and meat fallen very low, his hopes had faded into the distance. With 'great reluctance he had had to postpone the realisation of his ambitions, and the country would have to put up with the old buildings for some few years yet, unless, of course, theyl were unhealthy or insanitary. The Department's policy was., now to -remodel old buildings Arhen they were sound, and, with the consent of the Minister, rebuilding funds might be used for this purpose—legislation contained in the Education Amendment Bill gave power to do this. An expert school architect could do great things. in such a case. The Department had already told education boards of its desire that they should take action in this direction, and he would be glad to see . more remodelling ■work in hand.