SAFETY OF A SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22063, 20 September 1933, Page 11

SAFETY OF A SCHOOL

RESISTANCE TO EARTHQUAKES DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS (Pee United Press Association.) NELSON, September 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 the experience gained in the Murchison ana Hawke’s Bay earthquakes. “ This building 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 (Mr W. U. MTutyre, M.L.C.), in the course of his reply, said that the school had stood the greatest earthquake in New Zealand and had come out practically without a scratch. . , The board resolved—" That in view of the fact that a request was made to the Education Department 22 months ago for a copy of the Public Works report on the building and to-day that report has not been supplied, and that the department assured the board that all that might be required was additional exits and -:as taken no further action, in the opinion of the board the continued use of the school building for school purposes is fully justified; and after having heard Mr Atmore, who has supplied the board with no further information, the board considers itself justified in using the building for school purposes.” It was further decided to ask the department for a copy of the report. _ The Auckland Point School Committee heard the views of Mr Atmore on the condition of the' school as expressed to the Education Board, and subsequently carried the following resolution: —“ 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 their children from the school.” , Mr Atmore to-day telegraphed to 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 sending me a copy when the report was first received, ns I was responsible for the proceedings which resulted in the report. In view of your refusal, will you inform me whether the Public Works Department or the Education Department has had a report in its possession for over 18 months in which the statement is made that the building cannot be made safe and whether the less unstable brick building at Gisborne has been dealt with at a cost of several thousands? The safety of the children and teachers must be a paramount consideration.”