CHILLY SCHOOLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17572, 24 June 1925, Page 12

CHILLY SCHOOLS.

BETTER HEATING NEEDED, OUT OF DATE SYSTEMS. The severity of the present winter has had the result, of calling particular attention to the heating facilities provided at the schools. In many instances complaints have been made that the existing methods of heating do , not adequately-meet the requirements. East Christchurch, which is one of the oldest types of schools, has suffered particularly from this cause. In portions of the school the position has been alleviated by hot water heating, but in most of the rooms the method of heating is still by fire places which are inadequate in size to make the rooms warm. Wharenui School was until recently a sufferer in the matter of heating. Last winter the use of fire places was abandoned in favour of slow combustion stoves, but these, too, proved unsatisfactory, and finally the committee took matters in their own hands, organised methods of raising money and installed a hot water system that has proved satisfactory. Attention has been called particularly recently to the Elmwood School in respect to which there have been many complaints that the children were working under very bad conditions. A deputation from this school waited recently on the Minister of Education and sought Government assistance in remedying the conditions that exist. The temperatures recorded at the Elmwood School over a period of twenty-nine days—from July 2 to August 11 last year—provide a. striking example of the. chilly conditions under which some children have to work. The readings were: P. lll.—Average readings at 9 a m., 37.34 degrees (on two occasions the temperature was below freezing point) ; noon average reading, 45.48 degrees. Standard IA. —Average reading at 9 a.m., 37.65 degrees (the lowest reading was 30 degrees) ; noon average, 47.24 degrees (the lowest reading was 41 degrees) Standard IB.—Average reading at. 9 a.m., 43.41 degrees; noon average, 54.1 degrees. Standard ll.—Average reading at .9 J a.m., 37.65 degrees (twice, below freezing point) ; noon average, 46.55 degrees (four times as low as 40. degrees). Standard 111 —Average reading at 9 a.m., 40.1 degrees; noon, average, 45.86 degrees (cnee 40 degrees). Standard IV.A.—Average reading at 9 a.m., 42.75 degrees (lowest 34 degrees) ; noon, average, 50.27 degrees (lowest 44 degrees). Standard IV.B. -Average reading at 9 a.m., 45.55 degrees (lowest reading 36 degrees) ; noon, average, 53.17 degrees (lowest reading 45 degrees). The averages for the seven classes were: — 9 a.m. . . .40 degrees. Noon . . . 50 degrees.