The New School.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3164, 9 April 1879, Page 2

The New School.

We have had the pleasure of inspecting the fine commodious school building erected by the Board of Education in Cochrane street, to replace the old barn like building known as the Thames School. The new school is located on the triangular piece of ground bounded, on two sides by Cochrane and Campbell streets, the allotments having been raised, several feet above the surrounding flat. The principal side of the school faces Cochrane street;, to which it has a frontage of 120 feet. The facade has a very imposing appearance. The central portion of the front is 72 feet long, in the middle of which is a capacious porch, 1L x 7 feet, covering the main entrance. The main portion of the building is flanked on the sides by two wings; each having a frontage of 24 feet, and are about 80 feet in depth. Surmounting the building is a neat belfry. Entering the front door the visitor is in the main passage, 8 feet wide by 22 feet in length, communicating with the different rooms in the building. On each side of the front portion of this hall or passage are the teachers' rooms—two commodious apartments, each 14| by 16 feet. These are lighted with gas, and will be papered in a day or two. Immediately behind the teachers' rooms are two lavatories and cloak rooms—one each for the boys and girls—with water laid on. In the centre of these rooms on frames and round the walls are pegs for the hats and cloaks of the children. At the end of the main portion of the building is the infants' class room, 40 feet by 22 feet, capable of holding close on one hundred children ; in this room is a fixed gallery with tiers of benches; one rising above the other. The arrangement of this gallery is such as will ensure the comfort of the children, while all will be under the teacher's eye. There is a fireplace in this room. The two wings of the building are each divided into two class rooms,; the right wing being occupied by the girls' class rooms, and the left the boys'. These rooms are 40 x 22 , feet each, and all are provided with fireplaces. The two front rooms are lighted with gas, and the arrangement of the windows is excellent, insuring a good light. The windows, instead of being frosted as is generally the case, are provided with window blinds. The architect has paid special attention to the ventilation of the. building. The ventilators have the appearence of small ornamanted brackets fixed against the walls, and are so designed that while they insure! effective ventilation will not cause draughts. At the rear of the building are two commodious porticos for the convenience of the pupils in wet weather. The building reflects great credit on the architect, -and also on the contractor Mr Watson, of Auckland. The painting, etc., is now just being completed by Mr M. Conroy, and he deserves predit for the excellent manner his portion of the work has been carried out: The varnishing of the ceilings is especially well done. A neat fence surrounds the building, which is certainly an ornament to the town, and is, perhaps, one of the most handsome State schools in the provincial district. Mr Meachem has the contract for making the forms and desks, which will be similar to those used in the Kauaeranga Boys' School. The school will very shortly be ready for occupation, and we understand that Mr G.N. Phillips, the master of the Kauaeranga Boys' School, will be the head master: The school will accommodate 703 or 800 children.