SAFETY OF SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 4

SAFETY OF SCHOOL.

DISCUSSIONS AT NELSON. Per Press Association. NELSON, Sept.. 19. In connection with the question of the safety of the Auckland Point school building, Mr H. Atmore, M.P., in conference with the Nelson Education Board, roundly condemned the building in the light of experience gained in the Murchison and Hawke s Bay earthquakes. “This is most unstable,” Mr Atmore said, “and if proper steps were taken there would be no children in that school.” This afternoon the chairman of the board, Hon. AV. H. Mclntyre, in the course of a reply, said that the school had stood the biggest earthquake in New Zealand and had come out practically without a scratch. The board resolved: “That in view of the fact that the department assured the board that all that might be required is additional exits and has taken no further action', the board considers itself justified in using the building for school purposes.” The Auckland Point School Committee heard the views of Mr Atmore on the condition of the school as expressed to the education board. Subsequently the following resolution was carried: “That this committee, recognising its responsibilities to the children and teachers and having received definite evidence that the Auckland Point School is absolutely unsafe, now appeals to the department to take immediate steps to make the building safe. In the event of the department not recognising the urgent necessity for remedial measures, the committee feels it to be its duty to recommend parents to withdraw children from the school.” Mr Atmore to-day telegraphed the acting Minister of Education as follows:—“I regret your refusal to send me a copy of the report on the Auckland Point School. Considerations of courtesy should -have suggested send-

ing me a copy when it was first received as I was responsible for the proceedings resulting in a report. In view of your refusal will you inform me whether the Public AVorks or Education Department has had a report in its possession for over’ eighteen months in which the statement is made that the building cannot be made safe, and whether a less unstable brick' building at Gisborne has been dealt with at a cost of several thousand pounds? The safety of children and teachers must be the paramount consideration.”