SCHOOLS OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3698, 27 January 1925, Page 17

SCHOOLS OF OTAGO.

REVIEW OF BUILDING OPERATIONS. An interesting review of the activity in building operations in connection with the schools in the Otago district was made by Mr James Rodger (architect to the Otago Education Board) when interviewed on Friday. He stated that the progress that was being made was likely to continue, the indications pointing in the direction of still greater improvements being made to existing properties as timo went on. A fair amount of remodelling work had been done, and the aim of the board had been to give to the school rooms much better lighting facilities, good cross ventilation, better heating for the winter months, level floors, renovated seats, desks, and other furniture. The provision of cloak rooms to replace the system of hanging clothing and hats in the corridors had also been included.

There had also been a forward movement in the direction of improving the conditions in the playgrounds. Such work as levelling, grading, asphalting, and shrub planting was being undertaken where committees had been so impressed with a desire to improve the school surroundings that they had exerted themselves to raise money locally. Money so raised secured subsidies from the Government and the board, and many committees had earned deserved thanks for their efforts to improve school properties. The work of remodelling had also found a big place, continued Mir Rodger, and had included the Port Chalmers school and the north wing of the North-East Valley school main building. These buildings were constructed of blue stone and were, therefore, difficult and costly to alter, but the results had been quite up to expectations. Several other less expensive remodelling works had also been included, and it was intended that such work should be continued as far as was possible to improve existing buildings. A new building had been erected at Forbury, providing five class-rooms for tne use of tlie infants’ department, with teachers’ room, office, and cloak rooms. This building would be occupied as soon as the school was reopened. New schools had been erected at Waipori Falls, Luggate, and Ivahuika, while one at Edievale was almost completed. An addition had been made to the Tahakopa School. The program eof work to be proceeded with in the future included new schools at Waiiahuna, Hillend, Broad Bay, and an addition to the one at Five Forks. The removal of the Henley School and teacher's residence to a higher and drier site was to be carried out immediately. Other works which it was hoped to get authority to proceed with in the near future were a large new brick school a» Caversham, a Tive-roomed school in wood at St. Kilda, and new schools at Otakou and Kaihiku, while it was intended to add another room to the Clinton School.

The alterations to the upper storey of the old School of Art building, in Moray place North, to provide accommodation for the board and the office staff, including the inspectors, agricultural and physical instructors, and also the High School Board and staff, were well in hand. It was hoped that these rooms would be completed early in April, and it was intended that the board’s operations would be transferred to that building as soon as the renovations were finished. In conclusion, Mr Rodger staled that to cope with the increased work in connection with the board’s building department it had been found necessary to enlarge the workshop in Ward street, and to provide some additional machinery. The board now possessed a well-equipped workshop and yards, and employed a largo staff of workmen.