NEW CLASSROOMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 February 1944, Page 4

NEW CLASSROOMS

ALL-PLASTIC EXTERIOR EIRST IN DOMINION Wellington, Feb, 9, Contracts had been placed for 45 prefabricated classrooms in Auckland 35 in Wellington, and 25 in Dunedin,’ stated the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) this afternoon. In the event of further classrooms being required, these would be prefabricated in the centres nearest to the demand. Through the utilisation of this type oi school, said the Minister, “muchneeded relief will be afforded throughout the country to the various schools where there is overcrowding at +he present time.”

The Minister said the classroom had been designed as the result of investigations carried out by the officers, th« Director of Education* and the various education boards’ architects. These rooms would be the first all-plastic exterior buildings to be erected in this country. They were built with laminated plastics similar t 0 those used in the construction of aircraft. This material was being manufactured in New Zealand, ancl would afford his Department an opportunity of testing under actual operations the possibility of ihe use of the material in housing construction.

The classrooms had been designed to allord a maximum of sunlight, as provision had been made for five large windows of the 'hopper-type, which would ensure perfect ventilation of the classrooms. Some schools would require more than one room, but by grouping these buildings a northerly aspect could always be secured. It. was anticipated that there would be a considerable number u f these rooms required.

OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS Auckland, Feb. 9. Overcrowding at the Epsom School has reached such proportions that children arc being taught in a tent, also in an iron shed and in a stone basement, previously condemned. To clay the entire Normal School, primers to Standard 6, are seated at desks under a largo marquee The master said the children were enjoying the experience The clays so far had. been sunny and he hoped the weather would continue fine.—P. A.