WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7246, 21 May 1884, Page 6

WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL.

During tho past two years the attendance at tho West Christchurch District School has been continually increasing, so much so indeed that for a long time further accommodation has boon absolutely necessary. It may bo mentioned in proof of this that tho average attendance for last quarter —ended March 31, 1881., was 1028, tho largest number present on any one day during the quarter having been 1080. Tho demand for “ more room ” has been satisfactorily mot. for tho present at all events, by tho erection of a largo twostoreyed building, which is intended to bo one wing of a largo structure, which is to supplant tho present school in tho future, when tho wooden buildings now used are past service, and more funds are available for improvements than is the case just now. Tho now school was opened last week by Mr Hawley, Chairman of tho School Committee. Tho following description of it will, no doubt, bo of interest to many of cur readers: —

Tho building consists of four rooms, each 32ft by 21ft, with a room for tho mistress on the upper floor. The rooms on tho ground-floor are 14ft, and those on the first-floor 13ft, in height. Tho foundation and plinth are of concrete. The walls, both external and internal, are of brick, the fronts being relieved with grey and white stone dressings. The entrance lobby is 10ft wide, and is fitted with a lavatory of six tip-up basins, supplied with water from two iron tanks, which arc filled by a No. 4 hydraulic ram. The staircase leading to the first-floor is 4ft 3in wide, and each step is covered with thick sole leather, to deaden the sound of the children marching up it. The floors in each room are graded, so that the teacher can have a full view of every scholar. The walls throughout tho building are dadoed to a height of 5 feet, with hand-dressed red and white pine boards alternately, and a bold capping on the top. The whole of the internal woodwork is varnished. Each room is ventilated by means of air ducts in the walls, with valves to regulate the supply of fresh air, while the vitiated air escapes by perforated discs in tho ceilings. The system thus introduced appears to'be very effective in its working. The roof is covered with slates ; the eaves having a good projection with perforated soffit, allow a free current of air to pass into the roof, which assists materially in ventilating the upper rooms. The fireplaces are somewhat of a novelty in schools, the back, bottom and sides being formed of one solid block of hard-burnt fire clay. They were manufactured by Messrs Ford and Ogdon. The heat given out by these masses of fireclay when warmed through is sufficient to materially increase the temperature of the town in a very short time. The healths are of cement concrete, and the mantles of compo. The builders are Messrs Moore and M‘E:vq, and the clerk of works Mr A. Stubbs. The total cost of building was ,£1954 Bs. The estimate of the architect, Mr E. C. Farr, was £1958 10s.