THE NGAPARA SCHOOL SITE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 16

THE NGAPARA SCHOOL SITE.

We have received from Mr Robert Paulin a lengthy report on the Ngapara new school cite by Dr H. A. de Lautour, public health officer for the district. The report is too lengthy for insertion, but we give the conclusion, in which Dr de Lautour sums up the result of his inspection aud examination, and the grounds on which he condemns the site :—: —

(1) Ihe aspect is altogether wrong, facing the south. (2) Being overshadowed by a cliff and high hill on the north or sunny side, the benefit of the sun will be prevented in a great measure during the winter. (3) The subsoil is damp (4) The presence of swamps and the permanent flow of a creek liable to floods. (5) The proximity of other large_ swamps. (6) The expense of proper drainage and interference with riparian rights. (7) The existence of fogs and mists in cold and wintry weather ia unhealthy (8) The effluvia, etc. from decaying vegetation in the autumn is dangerous to health. (9) It would be very unfair to ask a schoolmaster to reside on this spot and expect him, if a married man, to bring up a healthy family under the conditions I have described.

I examined al^o another piece of ground, the property of Mrs Raine. This is quite free from all the objections of the swamp site. It lies high on naturally drained ground, with a dry Bubsoil ; aspect northerly ; open to the sun all the year round ; a good, substantial house, quite fit for a schoolmaster's residence; an excellent orchard and garden ; a good site for a schoolhouse, and two acres of land for playground— the only objection being it is on a sloping surface, but in other respects suitable for boys' football, and could easily be made suitable for many other games for both boys and girls.