High School Forgets ’Quake for Studies

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 February 1931, Page 7

High School Forgets ’Quake for Studies

CONDITION Or COLLEGES. HASTINGS, Last Night. But for an infrequent frown caused more than likely by some such disagreeable thing as an algebraic equation it is very evident from the refreshing serenity of tho many would-be studious faces, that school days are still the happiest of days at the Hasting's Hign School. The principal, Mr. W. A, G. Penlington says;—School days arc still tho happiest of days at the Hasting’s High School w r hcre lessons arc once again in full swing. “We opened up on Monday morning and were agreeably surprised to find 220 pupils in attendance out ot a total of 400 on the roll at the beginning of the school year. The attendance has gradually improved so that we now have a roll number of 245, and within a week or two, I expect it to bo about 350. For the present week we arc holding school only in the mornings and no pupils are allowed to enter or approach any of the brick buildings. I did expect it would bo necessary for some days to devote time to organised forms of recreation, such as games, drill and folk dancing, in order to restore confidence, but it was so evidenthat boys and girls had not sufferer.

from nerves, that we were able ?u carry on with the ordinary lessons interspersed of course with physical activities. Classes are conducted in shady spots about the 19 acre grounds and while present fine weather holds, the conditions arc most congenial. Air the staff have returned to duty although some are living under difficult conditions and indeed we are enjoying being at school again as it is a relici to devote ones attention and conversation to some other topic other than that of the earthquake. Although the main building will require to be demolished, we salvaged the furniture from the top floor and were relieved to find it not much damaged, all the pictures, the library, piano, and gramophones remaining intact. The two wings of the building appear to be quite sound except for the chimneys, but we shall not occupy them until they are declared perfectly safe by the architect and until earthquake danger disappears. The motto of the school remains now as ever “Akina." Woodford House, Havelock North Miss M. Holland, Principal of Woodford House, is quite confident that the college which is constructed largely of wood, will be ready for re-occupation by the girls halfway through the term. “The loss to the school," she says, “seems slight in view of tne fact that no one was hurt and that not a child was here to be even frightened. The buildings have stood a severe test anu had the girls been here no one need have been hurt. The classrooms and library are practically undamaged, also the science room, lodge, hostel, kitchen, and sanatorium. Nelson House, however, will be rebuilt in ferro concrete for the sake of future security, but the fact that it stood the test sufficiently to ensure safety to the children who might have been sleeping there is very consoling. The chapel alah is destroyed and the front of Woodford is wrecked through falling chimneys. The restoration will cost somewhat in the vicinty of £12,000, for we shall or course erect buildings which arc as far as possible earthquake and fireproof." Four architects have inspected the building since the quake and each lias expressed astonishment at the wonderful way the structure in the main has stood the strain. lona College. Reverend R. Waugh, Chairman of the Council of lona College, regrets the unfortunate rumours in circulation regarding the condition of the college. “The building has stood the shaking wonderfully well, he says, but the Council has decided not to reopen the College for a month or two so as to avoid all possible risk of harm to the pupr.s entrusted to our care. In me mealtime, Solway has kindly offered to take on a number of lona pupils, who will be permit ted to wear the lona uniform, and who will return to the College here when it reopens. The staff has been temporarily disbanded. The tower is the only seriously damaged part of the building and this alone will need renewing. The foundations of the College being built on solid rock are as secure as ever." Hereworth Boys' School at Havelock North, being built almost entirely oi wood, has suffered very little damage and it is expected that the school will reopen on March 3rd. Except for a little excitement caused by the hoi. water tank falling through two floors into the basement and the usual fallen chimneys, everything appears to be in pro-earthquake condition and the architect has pronounced the building perfectly safe.