S.T.H.S. HOSTEL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 81, 14 March 1931, Page 4

S.T.H.S. HOSTEL

CLOSING AT END OF FIRST TERM i/^" QUESTION OF DISPOSAL OF CHATTELS BOARD OF GOVERNOR?" ' MEETING The Hostel Committee of the Stratford Technical Board of Governors recommended to the meeting last night that the landlord be asked if he would be willing to dispose of the building as a going concern; and also recommended that the committee be authorised to dispose of the furniture •• occasion offered, as the hostel would be closed at the end of the first term. Mr. N. B. Fletcher, after reporting on behalf of the committee, moved a resolution in terms of the above. In answer to Mr. P. Gawith, Mr. Fletcher said the committee had no one in view at the present time who would be likely to take over the hostel. He thought that if they put the furniture in the mart it would be sacrificed, and they would do much better to deal with it in the meantime. They were in communication with the landlord with the idea,of , seeing if he would dispose of the building as a boardinghouse. The chairman (Mr. Harold Trimble): If we could get someone ,to take it over as a boardinghbnse, there would be the chance of dis-. posing of most of the beds. I Mr. E. R. Rutherfurd advocated calling for tenders for taking over the balance of the lease and the furniture. If anyone wanted to take over the place as a bSardinghouse the stuff would be wanted. If ther cut the eyes out of it, they would not get the same price for the balance. He said that the position wa» not publicly known. ,„,„ Mr. Fletcher Baid it was the intention of the committee to do as-iug->r gested by Mr. Rutherfurd. The lease was up at the end of Norember. The board agreed to Mr. Fletcher's motion. Other members present at the meeting were Mrs. J. w\ McMillan. Messrs. A. Ferguson, C. Moore, E. H. Eason, J. Young, D. Shaw. The principal (Mr. A. H. R. Amess) was also in attendance as secretary. ~,,,, Schools in Brick On the receipt of advice from the Director of Education that* in view of the recent earthquake and the fact that all brick buildings suffered more than others all construction work in brick would cease forthwith, the board arranged for Mr. C. H. Moore, architect to the Taranaki Education Board, to inspect the schol buildings. In his report, Mr. Moore pointed »out that he had been responsible for designing the buildings and had supervised their construction so that he was in a position to know more about them than anyone else. The , main building was of reinforced 5 to v 1 concrete. The wide mullian pilasters between the windows (usually a weakness in school buildings) made the whole building very strong. There were only one or two slight cracks throughout the construction. Probably no other concrete building in New Zealand would show fewer blemishes in the construction work. The steel windows were not very satisfactory and would eventually fcave to be replaced. After his visit to Hawke's Bay he felt confident the • building would withstand even a severe shake. ■*

The brick library building- was strongly built and had good cement mortar in the joints. There were no heavy projections to come away and the roof was strong. The structure was detached, which was an important factor in the safety of any building, reasonably constructed, withstanding earthquakes. There were no chimneys in the building and the two in the concrete building need cause no alarm. There was no doubt that ordinary brick chimneys wer ea great source of danger in the recent disaster. The chairman said he did not think it was necessary to "do anything in the matter, and the report was adopted on his motion, seconded by Mr. Ferguson. Gift of Books Mrs. S. Milner has donated a lot of books to the library, and the committee unanimously decided to thank her for her gift. An application was received from Mr. White, a member of the school staff, for permission to attend camp in the first week in April, and leave was granted. The Principal stated that there were two children from the earthquake area at the school, one having gone back on Monday. The two were likely to be attending the school all the year. A letter was read from Dr. Hansen, of the Technical College, Christchurch, asking for the support of the board in a request to the Educa tion Minister for at least 10 percent, of the fees instead of the Government taking all of them. He pointed out the difficulties of finance at the college. It was resolved to support the request, though the position did not affect the board. The Principal's Report . * Mr. Amess reported that the work of the school was proceeding satisfactorily. The attendance totalled 310, as follows: —Generalctfurse: Ist year, Girls 10, boys 18; total 28; second year, girls 9, boys 13; total, 22. Third year, girls 10, boys 87; total 47; grand total, 97. Science Course.—First year, girls 11, boys 22; total, 33. Second-year, girls 15, boys 22; total, 37. Third year, girls 7, boys 28; total, 36; grand total, 1?05. Commercial Course.—Firsfc year, girls 17, boys 1; total, ■ 18. Second year, girls 20; total, 20. Third year commercial, 20; grand total, 58.Trades and Domestic—First year, girls 12, boys 18; total, 30. Second year, boys 2U; grand total, Su.