THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 988, 5 November 1870, Page 5

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

The extensive alterations which have! been going on for some time post at the High School are at length approaching completion, and, if the weather continues fine, will probably be finished early in November. Not' only has a very decided improvement been effected ia the general appearance of the place, but, what ia of more importance, both the building and the grounds will be in every respect adapted for the purposes for which they were intended. It will be remembered that the ground to the north-west of the building was intersected by a cross-street leading from Rattray to Dowling street, which had the effect of curtailing the play ground in that direction to a very considerable extent. Besides this, at the rear of the building, and running parallel to Rattray street, was a large gully, with a very precipitous bank, which rendered the narrow belt of ground between the edge of the gully and the school building quite useless for the purpose of recreation. The cross street already referred to has been slight!/ deviated, and made to form the north-west boundary of the school ground, while the gully has been filled in, and the ground all round the building properly levelled. A playground of very respectable dimensions ha^4hus been obtained, suitable for all the" ordinary Bchool games with the exception of cricket ; and even for this on a limited scale. We understand, however, that the High School boya will, in common with the boys of the Middle District School and the public generally, have the use of the recreation ground on the Town Belt, which is now in course of formation by Mr Hume, the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, and which is to be prepared specially for cricket and football. It is proposed to erect within the school grounds during the approaching holidays a wooden structure, to serve at once as a covered playground in wet weather, and as a gymnasium, in place of the drill-shed situated at the Bouth end of the building, which has hitherto been used for this purpose, but which is now to be handed over to the Girls' School. This will complete the arrangements for, the physical training of the boys, and add a very important feature to the curriculum of the school.

The building for the Girls' Department is now within a few days of being completed. It forms the south wing of the main building, and comprises the following accommodation, viz. : — On the basement floor, kitchen, scullery, storeroom, pantry, housemaids' pantry, servants' bedroom, dining room for pupils. All these are large, with the exception of the dining room, which is to be used for this purpose for a short time only, when a large dining room will have to be added on the spare ground adjoining. On the south side there is a porch and separate entrance for the boarders from the playground, with lavatory just inside. The basement floor is above ground almost all round, so that it is well lighted and ventilated and perfectly dry. In the yard at back are boot-room, trunk-room, coal and wood sheds, laundry, and other necessary offices. Water is supplied throughout this and the other portions of the building -from the Company's mains. The ground or principal floor centains in front a large hall, mistress's room, and parlour, also the school-room, 36ft by 23ft, lighted by five windows, and heated by a stove at each end. The desks will be arranged in rows on a gallery along the whole length, and divisions will afterwards be formed between the various classes as may be found most convenient. Adjoining the school-room is a private room for the use of the Lady Principal, who will thus be able to overlook the work of the whole of the classes. There is a door from the main hall for visitors ; but the pupils will enter either from the large staircase at back, .or from a separate staircase and porch at side. This porch wiU also serve as a cloak-room. On the first floor are four private bedrooms ; also, the dormitory, 36ft by 20ft, lofty, well lighted, warmed, and ventilated, to be afterwards divided as required ; also, a large bathroom, with all the necessary conveniences. A staircase, Bft wide, leads from bottom to top of building, and there are separate staircases for servants, &c. The building is of the most substantial character, being of Hobart Town stone in front, bluestone at back, and brick and cement at end. The partitions, with the exception of three small oneß upstairs, are all of brick, and plastered throughout. Mr David Robs is the architect for the building, and Mr James Gore is the contractor. The recreation ground set apart for the girls extends about four chains back from Dowling street to Rattray street, and about two ohains in a south-easterly direotion in a line with the School, It is separated from m boys' pUygrpyn.d by a do^ly

boarded fence some seven- feet, higli, and has angular-shaped drains formed of tarred boards running round it, so as to carry off the surface drainage. Parallel with the dividing fence, and raised some six or seven feet above the level of the main portion of the grounds, is a narrow terrace, the top and slope of which have been planted with flowering and \ other shrubs, which, in the course of time mast give a very pleasing appearance to this part of the enclosure. On the side next Rattray street, and some twenty feet below the level of the principal playground, another terrace has been formed about sixty feet square, to serve as a croquet ground. It has been laid down in grass, and has a small turf border about a foot high- round the two lower sides to prevent the croquet balls from going over the edge of the embankment. All the slopes in both playgrounds, as well as the narrow belt of ground between the surface drains already mentioned, and the edges of the slopes have been planted with trees and shrubs, both native and European, while a row of blue gums has been planted immediately inside of the fence on the south and western sides of the building, which, if they maintain the reputation of their species for rapid growth, will soon form an effectual shelter, and render the girls' pleasure-grounds as private and retired as they would be if they were beyond the boundaries of the city. In closing this Bketch of the High School improvements, we cannot refrain from expressing our belief that the way in which the various works have been planned and carried out reflects great credit on all concerned.