EDUCATION BOARD METHODS

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 119, 18 May 1909, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD METHODS

TO'THE EDITOR.

Sir,—ln y6.iir:repoi*t-%f the Education Board's meeting-on;; Monday last the matter of improved ventilation and warming at Okaramio school was referred to. I will: bepleased if you will grant me space !ifor -an explana-. tion. About twelve years ago it was deemed advisable to build a new school in a more central position than the school then in use, and the Committee were asked to try to find a suitable site, but nobody would sell. It was then suggested that the Board might compulsorily secure a piece of land from Mr Inman, next the hotel. Mr Inman then offered free one acre where the school is now built, and the Board jumped at the gift. The land was then densely cohered with scrub, logs and blackberries, so the architect could do no more than put in one peg, where the eastern corner was to be. On clearing the site for building, the land was found to rise, so that a trench was dug to put the bottom wall in. Shortly after a flood came down, an 4as the building was put in a water-course, anyone that has seen the sludge that comes down with a mountain torrent can imagine what the building would be like underneath. The school then built was the first and the worst built on the absurd plan supposed to be recommended by the late inspector. Not only does ,the school seem subject to the extremes of "heat an 4 cold, but the want of proper ventilation makes the heat almost unbearable, and this combined with the cross-lights all coming in high up has "been the cause of much illness amongst the teachers and children. The charts .showing temperature forwarded, to the Board were not, as apparently supposed, taken m various parts of the building, but at various times of'•••''day, viz., 9 a.m., noon and at 3 p.m.,|the glass all the time hanging on the'sunny side of the school. In his latest report the Inspector, dealing with the subject of ventilation and warihmg, described it "V.G^" The charts showing the temperature 'having fallen' ■' several times from 34 to 40 degrees were hanging on the wr'll, so it would seem there is a vast difference of opinion as to what-'is;a suitable temperature for a school-room. But surely Mr White's motion takes the cake, for absurdity, if he is reported rightly. The latter part of "his motion reads, "That the Board insists upon the school being heated when the temperature was under 60 degrees in the school-room." The Board .may insist, but much as the teacher and children would like to agree to it, there will be many days this winter Avheri it will be found impossible to get the temperature <to even 50 degrees with present heating arrangements. Thanking you in anticipation. lam,«o. >iHoi . Ggm / ■\ ' Okaramio, vMay 17, 1909;/ ' ■. .■ :; -.