“A BAD SHOW ”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26777, 21 May 1948, Page 6

“A BAD SHOW ”

HIGH SCHOOL' MAINTENANCE DELAYED BOARD EXPRESSES CONCERN “ It’s a bad show! ” This typical piece of Royal Air Force jargon which, by virtue of its expressiveness, is fast becoming a part of the language, was used by Mr J. C. H. Somerville, chairman of the Otago High Schools’ Board, yesterday afternoon to typify the board’s concern at the long list of repairs still waiting to be done at the Otago Boys’ High School. The subject was introduced after the board had read a paragraph in the monthly report of the rector of the school, Mr E. J. Aim, in which he stated: “It is with dismay that I report the following jobs not. yet done:—Painting of assembly hall, painting of Fulton building, painting of rectory, painting of Campbell House, work in school library, repairs in science block, furniture in art room (arrived but returned because not made to'plan submitted by the school) , and repairs to and painting of baths.” Mr Aim’s report stated that he understood that some of these works were 1 passed by the board and approved by the Education Department as long ago as two years. He suggested that, in the interests of the three schools, some system other than the one in use at present in regard to maintenance work and the obtaining • of new equipment be instituted. I. was clear, he said, that any continued hold-up would have a serious effect on'the work of the schools. “We are up against a brick wall. We are baulked at every turn. _ The Fulton building has not been painted since it was erected 21 years ago, commented the chairman of the board’s Works Committee. Mr G. Stratton. He said that every effort to obtain staff for these tasks had been fruitless. Mr Aim apparently had it in mind that the board should employ-its own carpenter, painter and plumber, he continued. The matter’ was worthy of investigation, but he feared that it would be extremely costly. Mr Somerville said that;the Education Board architect, Mr C. Muir, had undertaken to make inquiries about the delay in the work and would present a report at the next meeting. Inquiries were also being made by tne board’s secretary, Mr C. J. Martin, as to what measures other school boards were adopting to overcome the difficult position in regard to repairs and maintenance.