KAITI SCHOOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18254, 24 November 1933, Page 4

KAITI SCHOOL

GROUND IMPROVEMENT SUCCESSFUL SCHEME Great success lias crowned the efforts of the Haiti School Committee, which, three years ago, under the chairmanship of Mr! G. Crawshnw, and later Mr. T. A. Coleman, undertook an intensive campaign to provide permanent improvements at the school, the main object being to utilise fully all the available area, 4J acres. Owing to the drainage oil the hills the grounds were very wet in the winter, and pupils were unable to go into school drvshod. The playing area was routined to"a small section of asphalt width surrounded the school. Such circumstances allowed for no facilities for basketball, football and other games. The first undertaking was the diverting and filling in of the open drain on the western side of the school, into which children often slipped, necessitating their being sent home. This job occupied about seven months. After the earthquakes all 1 lie brick chimneys throughout the school were dismantled and a central heating system installed. The bricks were used in the laying down of paths that now enable the scholars to pass to and from, school with dry feet. A grassed area for basketball and tennis has been provided at the back of the school. On the eastern side of the school there is a large playing field, which formerly became waterlogged in the wet weather. Drains extending towards the hills now cut off the water before it reaches the school grounds, and a large closed-in drain carries it past the school and into an adjacent creek. It is hoped that in the near future the committee will be able to raise the level of the football ground on the eastern side of the school. Laud originally reserved as a roadway passing alongside the school grounds has been acquired by the Education Board, and this area is now' being used as an agricultural plot, with successful results. Experimental plots of maize, grass and vegetables have been planted. Adjacent to this there is an area which has been laid out in trees, which in vears to come should provide a supply of firewood. With the idea of brightening up the grounds, small garden plots have been made in suitable places, which, enhanced with rustic work, now present a pleasing appearance. Lawns have l>oen provided, together with a plantation of native trees, and a shelter lmlt of cupresses lnwsoniaua along the boundary fence. The re-surfacing of the asnbalt also has bepn carried out with satisfactory results.

All the improvements have been carried out under the Uneninloyment Board’s No. 5 scheme, whilst the maintenance. work is being attended to hv tlie pupils of th? school. Gonsidcrahlc interest .has been taken in the work hv the. iniermdoyed. who. together with Mr. C. Bevridge, contributed plants in a "onerous manner. The committee is to he warmly commended unnn the success of .the improvements, and the grounds no”'. nvosopt a pleasing anpearance. The opinion has Imep expressed hv one of the that- is no school in, the 4 ; st"ict.whose grounds lmve been utilised to better advan* M hoodexigfpr. Mr. .fX R. Olsen, considers that, the

«w>> >r--1 health of th" children lies ini proved since He i-iooxti',” of the scheme