KUROW SCHOOL FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 2

KUROW SCHOOL FIRE

EDUCATION BOARD’S INQUIRY REPORT OF COMMITTEE NO SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES That there were neither suspicious circumstances nor any evidences of carelessness on the part of anyone was the conclusion arrived at by the special committee of the Otago Education Board which recently investigated the fire that destroyed the Kurow District High School. No Evidence of Origin

At the meeting of the board yesterday, the committee, which consisted of Messrs W. R. Brugh and W. M. Cooper, submitted a lengthy summary of the evidence taken from the teaching staff, the caretaker and outside witnesses. Concluding its report, the committee stated: “We are of the opinion that there were no suspicious circumstances and that there was no carelessness on the part of anyone. Moreover, we found no evidence of any kind to indicate how the fire originated.” The board endorsed the report, and it was stated that the Education Department had approved of the plan for the rebuilding of the school. It was expected that it should be possible to call for tenders at the end of July. Equipment and Effects The school committee reported that none of the special equipment such as pianos, radio, duplicator, library books, was insured, and it asked the board to inquire whether the Department would make a grant.

The chairman drew attention to the fact that in September, 1923, the board circularised all school committees as follows: “ Insurance on pianos, library books, etc.: The department has informed the board that, in the event of a school being destroved by fire, its liability does not extend to special equipment such as pianos, library books, magic lanterns, etc. If school committees desire this equipment to be insured they must make their own arrangements for so doing.” It was decided to make an endeavour to get some form of grant, and at the same time to re-issue the circular quoted by the chairman. On the motion of the chairman it was agreed to refer the whole question of similar insurances and grants to a committee comprising the chairman and Dunedin members, with a view to putting all schools in a position to meet similar emergencies.