UNSAFE BUILDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 10

UNSAFE BUILDING.

SCHOOL TO BE VACATED.

A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM MINISTER.

fßt TEI.EGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI. Tuesday.

Firm action is being taken by the Minister of Education, Hon. H. Atmore, in regard to the Wanganui Technical Cob lege building. The Minister has received expert advice confirming the opinion that the two-storeyed brick structure is in a dangerous condition for the occupants, and, after consultation with the Hon. W. A. Veiteh, member for Wanganui, has issued the following statement:—

" From time to time doubts have been raised in my mind regarding the safety of the Wanganui Technical College main building. I therefore instructed the department's architect to report on the matter, and his report was of such a serious nature as to warrant a special investigation into the stability of the building by a structural engineer. Tho leport has reached me, ajid I have decided, in view of tlie serious defects disclosed, that it would be unwise for tho main building to;be any longer occupied. "I have, suggested to tlia board that it should endeavour to make arrangements with the Wanganui Education Board to accommodate its evening classes in the public school buildings, and to arrange for the day classes to be held in such halls as mav bo available. I havo arranged with the Director of Education to proceed immediately to Wanganui to confer with the Technical College Board. Temporary class-rooms will be provided at short notice, and plans prepared with the object either of replacing the present building or ol making it safe for occupation." The Minister further stated to night: "I have not acted without due consideration in regard fu the building. I had various architects' reports giving adverse opinion.? on the building, and it was not well designed in tho first place. To get finality, however, I asked the Minister of Public Works to havo the school building inspected by an eminent structural engineer. The report emphasised that it was not a question whether the building was safe or Dot, but that it was a matter of amazement that it stood at all."

The Director of Education, Mr. T. B. Strong, and an architect will visit Wanganui to-morrow to discuss the position with the local authorities.