MOTUEKA SCHOOL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 6 October 1917, Page 8

MOTUEKA SCHOOL

■■ . SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS UNSATISFACTORY. MATTER RAISED IN THE HOUSE. (Bv Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) . .WELLINGTON, Friday. In the House of Representatives Mr R. Hudson asked the Minister of Edu- - cation —(1) Whether his attention has been called to a report of the monthly meeting of the .Motueka School Committee, as apearing in the Motneka Star of the 18th September, from winch the following is an extract: ''The headmaster reported that the average attendance of the primary school during the "last mouth was 83 per cent. The scarlet-fever epidemic was affecting the attendance of thirteen pupils. Mr King presented a comprehensive report •'-' on behalf of the works committee. He stronglv commented upon the sanitary arrangements at the school, considering that the present state of affairs waft disgraceful. Mr Kiug"s remarks on this score'were endorsed by other members of the Committee, and it was resolved that the Chairman and Secretary , be empowered to make arrangements in regard to the "matter"? (2) Whether he will make inquiries into the matter with a-" view to the removal of the apparent menace to the health of the children? ■"''•■'. In his reply the Hon. Mr Hanan (Minister of Education). stated: In reply to this question I, may state that the extract from the Motueka Star, referred to bv the honourable member, hat* not come under my notice but that .the unsatisfactory condition of the Motueka School, together with that of a number of others in the Nelson. Districa, - was reported to the "Education Department on the 15th August last by the Medical Inspector" of Schools, had iust completed a tour of the schools in-the Nelson District. Regarding the Motneka. School, the Medical'.lnspector states that it would be a great improvement if the existing outbuildings could be replaced bv a modern type, with a epetic tank, as the cleanliness of the present outbuildmcrs wo-, unsatisfac--1 torv": In ouite a number of cases the - Medical Inspector reported adversely on the sanitarv condition of the outbuildings, and. * m accordance with instructions issued b-»'. the Denavtmenf some time ago. the "Medical Inspector reported the matter directly to the Senior Inspector of Schools for reference to the ■Education Board. The Education 'Board has the control of all buildings and panitary appliances, and the Department has no power to do anymore than draw the attention of the Board to anv defects. It would be tlur duty of the Motueka School Committee to apply to the Board for an improvement of* the .sanitary system which they find to be a menace to the health of the children. . . -,, Speaking to the Ministerial reply, Mr * Ettdson said that he had nothing to say. against the Education Board, which 4 not in a happy financial position. Bo that as it may", he failed to see how a. Government Department, could caeualIv pass over such an important matter which affected the health of the community. The Department should see that a septic tank was supplied, and the outbuildings nut in a proper order for the sake of the health of the children He was convinced that romethinc should be done at, once, and the reply of the Government was anything Jbnt' satisfactory.. , 7 (